Failed asylum seeker died during docks escape bid

The incident took place at Southampton docks

A failed asylum seeker drowned after attempting to jump on to the ramp of a vehicle transporter ship in a bid to travel to Canada, an inquest has heard.

Walid Gomaa, who was denied asylum status when he arrived in the UK in 2021, had told a friend he intended to travel across the Atlantic, having lived illegally in the UK for four years.

The Egyptian national hit his head and fell into the sea at Southampton docks on 28 April this year, after attempting to jump on to a vessel.

An inquest in Winchester heard on Tuesday that the 36-year-old drowned before a rescue boat could reach him.

Mr Gomaa had been spotted attempting to reach a ramp as it was being raised by crew members of the ship heading for Halifax in Canada, the inquest was told.

The operator paused the raising and saw Mr Gomaa walk away, but as they started lifting up the ramp again Mr Gomaa ran and jumped towards the ramp.

This was despite a crew member shouting at him to stop.

The inquest heard that Mr Gomaa then hit his head and fell into the sea at Empress Dock at the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal, where he drowned.

Coroner Jason Pegg said: "Mr Gomaa jumped off the jetty towards the vessel. On this occasion Mr Gomaa was not able to grab hold of anything and fell towards the water between the jetty and the vessel itself."

He said a post-mortem examination found the cause of death was drowning which resulted from a head injury and a fall into the water.

The coroner added: "Mr Gomaa came to the UK in 2021 and was not given status in this country and disappeared for a period of time.

"He initially claimed asylum but that was denied in 2021 and it was not until April 2025 that Mr Gomaa raised his head again."

In a message to Mr Gomaa's family in Egypt, who did not attend the hearing, Mr Pegg said: "I do give my condolences to Walid Gomaa's family and friends and they have my best wishes."