The school of a teenager who tragically drowned on Aberavon beach has paid tribute to "a talented, popular student with an infectious smile and a kind heart". David Ejimofor, 15, died on Monday, June 19 after getting into difficulty in the sea. His family say he jumped in off the pier after being encouraged by friends.
His family have issued an emotional tribute to him through South Wales Police and launched a petition on change.org calling for action to be taken to prevent future tragedies. In the petition, they said that David had been "encouraged by friends to join them in jumping off the pier". They said it was a a "yearly coming of age ceremony" practiced after GCSEs and A-levels that the entire community is aware of".
They wrote: "If everyone including schools are aware of this practice, surely we would expect the Council to have better safeguarding measures in place especially at this time of year. David Ejimofor was not the first to suffer such a fate at the hands of this pier. We do not want David to be another statistic. We want his name to serve as an end of this unfortunate trail. It is for this reason that we seek change and reform by improving safeguarding measures at Aberavon Beach."
Read more: Family pay tribute to boy with 'boundless enthusiasm' who drowned at Aberavon beach
Earlier this week St. Joseph's Catholic School & Sixth Form Centre in Port Talbot posted a message on their Facebook page announcing the death of one of their pupils. They have now issued an emotional tribute to David who they say was an "exemplary pupil, and he will be hugely missed by the whole St Joseph’s community."
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They said: "He was a bright and diligent young man, hardworking, friendly, and popular with his classmates and teachers. David had a close group of friends.
"David’s wide and welcoming smile lit up every room that he entered. He was polite and well-mannered in all of his interactions, and was admired and respected by pupils and teachers alike. This has been shown by the high number of heartfelt tributes left by pupils in school, at Aberavon Beach and online. He was a much valued member of our community and will be very much missed.
"David was extremely fit. He loved being in the gym and he was a fitness role model to all pupils in the school and the wider community. Members of the fitness community have commented on what a polite young man he was, as well as an ‘absolute beast’ in the gym. Some commented on the potential he had to break all kinds of records.
"His tragic and unexpected death has come as a devastating shock to the whole school community and our thoughts and prayers are with his parents, Alex and Maria, brothers, Alex and Andrew and sister, Sarah at this incredibly sad time.
"The school will continue to support our community through this very sad time. The school chapel remains open for pupils, parents and friends of the school to come and light a candle, leave a message in the condolence book or just spend some quiet time in reflection. School counsellors from the Local Authority remain in school all week for pupils and staff."
As well as this, individual members of staff who knew David well paid tribute to him. The school said there were members of the staff present on Aberavon Beach on Monday evening to support pupils and parents and thanked those who have supported our pupils in school at this tragic time.
Mr Scourfield, Headteacher said that “Our whole community feels the pain and sadness of David's passing. Our heart goes out to his family and closest friends. They are very much in our prayers at this time.”
Miss Baines, Head of Year 11 said, “David was one of the most genuinely kind and conscientious pupils that I’ve ever had the pleasure of having in my year group. When David smiled, he brightened up everybody around him. As well as being a role model within the athletic and fitness community, David was a role model amongst his peers and people naturally gravitated towards him. Words cannot describe how devastated I am, and my thoughts and prayers are with David’s family and close friends.”
Monsignor Cefai, Parish Priest of St Joseph’s Church in Port Talbot where David attended with his family said that, “St. Joseph's Parish was a better place because David was here. I am so grateful to have known him. The family are in my thoughts and prayers during their loss.”
READ MORE: Police name boy, 15, who drowned after getting into difficulty in sea at Aberavon
