University scholar, 18, drowned from chilly water shock throughout night time time swim within the sea with pals, inquest hears
A university student drowned from cold water shock during a night time dip in ‘turbulent’ sea conditions, an inquest heard.
Michael Oppong-Yeboah, 18, had gone for a night time swim with friends from his university jiu jitsu society after a meal out when tragedy struck off Plymouth Hoe in Devon in March 2024.
Following a Christmas Day tragedy only days ago in nearby Budleigh Salterton, Devon, when two swimmers died in a traditional festive swim, the coroner issued a warning.
Concluding the inquest, assistant coroner Ian Arrow said: ‘I do hope the publicity surrounding the circumstances of his death makes members of the public aware of the very great danger of entering cold and rough seas particularly at night.’
The University of Plymouth environmental science student died from cold water immersion after he jumped into the water at East Hoe beach with around ten friends.
He swam a short distance before treading water. He then shouted for help but was hit by a wave and disappeared from sight in the gloom, the inquest at Exeter Coroner’s Court was told.
The coroner was told he succumbed to cold water shock which impacted his ability to swim and maintain his position in the sea.
His body was not found for three weeks and was recovered from the water in Devonport naval dockyard.
His mother Doris Kyeremaa said her son, born in Watford, Hertfordshire, was a devout Christian and a ‘very caring person’ who she called ‘Angel’ because he was a ‘respectful, kind hearted, humble, peaceful and God fearing individual’.
Michael Oppong-Yeboah (pictured with his mother) had gone for a night time swim with friends from his university jiu jitsu society after a meal out when tragedy struck off Plymouth Hoe in Devon in March 2024
Pictured: Divers searching the sea at East Hoe beach, Plymouth, for Michael Oppong-Yeboah
She said he only ever had sporadic swimming lessons adding: ‘I am not aware Michael ever swam in the sea or a river in the UK or abroad.’
She urged his university to educate their students about the dangers of living by the sea and open water swimming and hopes people will be employed to stop them going into the water at night.
Some of the students he swam with gave evidence and said they had decided to go for a dip after their pizza meal – when Michael drank three cans of ale with his food.
Charlie Cox said Michael had told him on the way to the shoreline: ‘I can swim but I’ve not done it for a while. I’m not the greatest swimmer in the world.’
Michael told him that the rocks and pebbles were hurting his feet and Charlie pointed to deeper water where he could jump in without standing on the stony seabed.
Michael jumped in from knee height and was heading to a ledge but got within two metres when he stopped swimming and was treading water.
Charlie shouted to him ‘do you need help?’ and Michael replied once ‘help’.
His friend ran to get a life ring but when he returned he could not see Michael in the water which had a lot of seaweed in it.
Another student said Michael had been just five metres away when he lost sight of him in the poor visibility.
Floral tributes, pictures and kind words left at East Hoe for Michael who vanished while swimming
A police report said ‘conditions were turbulent’ that night and his death was tragic but there were no suspicious circumstances.
They said: ‘He could swim but he was not experienced in open water in the Plymouth area.’
Coroner Mr Arrow said Michael entered the ‘cold rough sea to swim with friends near Plymouth Hoe’.
‘Having entered the water I am satisfied he was overcome by waves and has drowned.’
He said the post mortem said the teenager died from immersion in cold water and he recorded an accidental death conclusion.
