A 17-year-old boy who died while on a school trip to a popular beauty spot ‘brought joy to everyone he met’, his family has said.
Samuel Oluwatosin Oluwagbenga died after getting into difficulty in the sea in West Wittering near Chichester on July 2.
He was a pupil at Uxbridge College in West London, and went on the trip with 50 others.
Lifeguards on jetskis raced to save Samuel after he was spotted getting into difficulty in the water, the Telegraph reported.
He was airlifted to St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester where he sadly died soon afterwards.
A post-mortem examination at Brighton mortuary was unable to ascertain the cause of death, according to The Argus, after an inquest was opened.
Samuel Oluwatosin Oluwagbenga (pictured) died after getting into difficulty in the sea in West Wittering near Chichester on July 2
Emergency services (pictured) raced to the beach at West Wittering after the incident
West Wittering in Sussex is popular with tourists and can draw up to 20,000 visitors a day
Samuel’s family said they are feeling emotional pain and distress following his death.
They said: ‘Samuel was an energetic 17-year-old and brought so much joy to everyone he met.
‘He loved his little brother and on his weekends, he spent his time coaching younger children futsal in the Uxbridge Community. We are completely heartbroken of his passing..’
A JustGiving page has been launched to cover funeral expenses and raise money for his family. A total of £7,500 has been raised so far.
Det Insp Darren Taylor, of Sussex Police, said: ‘This was an absolutely tragic incident, and I would like to express my sincere condolences to the boy’s loved ones at this heartbreaking time.
An air ambulance (pictured at the scene) took Samuel to hospital where he died shortly after
‘A police investigation, supported by the Health and Safety Executive, is under way to establish the full facts.’
Dylan McTaggart, the Uxbridge College principal, said at the time: ‘This was a tragic accident that has had a huge impact on everyone here. Our priority now is to look after all those affected.
Police and coastguard crews helped a member of the public at West Wittering beach after the incident on July 2
‘We have enlisted the help of qualified counsellors and will make sure that, over the next days and weeks, we have staff and professional support available to our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, and we ask that you respect their privacy as they grieve the loss of a child.’