Student drowned after celebrating end of exams

Wesley Akum-Ojong had jumped into the water at about 18:52 BST and died hours later in hospital

A university student who aspired to be Britain's youngest prime minister drowned after celebrating the end of his exams, an inquest has heard.

Wesley Akum-Ojong,19, from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, was in his first year studying politics, philosophy and economics at Brasenose College, Oxford.

An inquest heard how on 21 June he made his way with other students to a bridge at the Port Meadow beauty spot and jumped into the River Thames.

Nicholas Graham, the area coroner for Oxfordshire, concluded the student drowned by accident.

The student had been taking part in the Oxford University tradition of "trashing", where students have confetti and shaving foam thrown at them once they have finished their exams and jump into the river.

The inquest hear how Mr Akum-Ojong had told one of his peers he was anxious about jumping into the water.

At about 18:52 BST police said he was filmed jumping into the water and was not found for more than an hour.

A student said they saw the 19-year-old resurface immediately after jumping in, but after two minutes had not got back to the river bank.

About 40 minutes later students called the emergency services to report him missing and he was pulled from the water at 20:10.

Police said there was about 200 people at the scene.

He was given CPR and taken to John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, at 21:31 and died shortly after.

'Kind, caring and helpful'

Dr Simon Smith, a senior tutor at the college, said in a written statement to the inquest how the university informs students about the importance of celebrating the end of their exams safely.

Mr Akum-Ojong was born in Cameroon and moved to the UK at four months old, his family said.

He was described by his family as a "kind, caring and helpful" young man.

He studied at Watford Grammar School for Boys and he was the only student from his year to get into Oxford University.

In a post-mortem examination, no evidence of intoxication was found and Mr Akum-Ojong's GP said there had been no history of any long-term health conditions.