Criminal expenses might be introduced over the loss of life of a 17-year-old boy who died within the sea on a faculty journey, inquest hears
A criminal prosecution could be launched over the death of a boy, 17, who died on a school trip after getting into difficult in the sea, an inquest has heard.
Samuel Oluwagbenga was on a school trip from Uxbridge College to the seaside village of West Wittering, West Sussex, in July 2024.
At around lunchtime, Samuel was spotted struggling to swim and lifeguards raced to save him.
He was pulled from the water and airlifted to St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester where he sadly died soon afterwards.
Today, Samuel’s family were told at an inquest hearing that an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) could result in a criminal prosecution.
They were told the timing of the full inquest into his death would depend on the outcome of the investigation.
The court heard if the HSE decides to take enforcement action then there maybe a delay.
Penelope Schofield, coroner for West Sussex, said: ‘Much will depend on whether there’s a prosecution and what the prosecution is for.’
Samuel Oluwagbenga (pictured) was on a school trip from Uxbridge College to the seaside village of West Wittering, West Sussex, in July 2024, when he got into difficult in the sea
West Wittering beach (pictured) is popular with tourists and day-trippers and can draw up to 20,000 visitors a day
Samuel, who was born in Nigeria, had only been in the UK for a year but had adapted quickly.
In an interview after the tragedy his mother, Taiwo, said her son was adapting to life in the UK and was making friends at school.
He was attending church every weekend and had become a five-a-side football coach in his spare time.
She said Samuel was good at IT and wanted to study the subject at university and was using his skills to help out at his Sunday church group.
Samuel had been on the trip to the West Wittering beach with fellow pupils.
The beach in West Sussex is popular with tourists and day-trippers and can draw up to 20,000 visitors a day.
It is now 18 months since the tragedy and his family are desperate for answers.
His mother said in 2024: ‘My son went and he didn’t come back. Fifty children went and only my son didn’t come back.
In an interview after the tragedy his mother, Taiwo (pictured), said: ‘My son went and he didn’t come back. Fifty children went and only my son didn’t come back’
‘He always looked after his brother and now, his brother asks where Samuel is and when he will come back?
‘My youngest doesn’t want to go home, he doesn’t want to go to our house.
‘He doesn’t want to stay there. If we go back home, he will start to cry because he constantly asks where is his brother that he plays with?’
Ms Schofield set a provisional date for the full inquest of July this year, depending on the findings of the HSE investigation.
The lifeguards on duty at West Wittering as well as college representatives who organised the school trip are set to be called to give evidence.
After the tragedy Uxbridge College gave their ‘condolences and sympathy’ to Samuel’s family.
A spokesperson said: ‘We continue to provide support to Samuel’s family and were honoured to celebrate his life with them alongside his student friends at the recent College memorial that brought them together in their grief.
‘We are in touch with the family and will provide them with updates as soon as we are able.’
