Oxford University student, 19, dies after ‘jumping into river’ in full academic dress as he celebrated end of exams
AN Oxford University student who tragically died in a river while celebrating the end of exams has been named.
Wesley Akum-Ojong, 19, was said to have drowned in the River Thames wearing his full academic dress.
The first year student, who was reading Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Brasenose College, died shortly after being pulled from the water by rescuers on June 21.
He was reported to be among a number of students celebrating the conclusion of their exams by jumping from the Thames Path footpath at Port Meadow.
Mr Akum-Ojong, who had previously attended Watford Grammar School for Boys, had written a blog describing his first year at university as “the best period of my life so far”.
He said in the piece, published on the Brasenose website around April: “It’s odd to think I only have eight weeks left of being a first year.
“So much has changed, and I’ve made so many great memories. It feels both like I arrived just yesterday but also as if I’ve been here for years.
“There really is no place like Brasenose.”
He added: “Sometimes I forget I go to *the* Oxford University everyone is always talking about. Even after two terms, living and studying here feels surreal.
“Admittedly, making it here was always part of the plan but that does not mean I had no worries before actually coming. Are the tutors really that mean? What if I don’t fit in? Did I really have to book all my meals the day before?
“Of course, none of these fears materialised, and arriving in Oxford started (possibly) the best period of my life so far.”
Emergency services were called to Port Meadow where Mr Akum-Ojong was pulled out of the water.
He was taken to hospital for further treatment but died shortly after.
A witness told The Sun how they had seen lots of students diving into and swimming in the river shortly before the incident took place.
“Lots of students were celebrating their end of exams by jumping into the water at Port Meadow from the Thames Path footbridge by Fiddler’s Island.
“Unfortunately towards the end, one man wearing academic dress jumped in and drowned before he could make it back to the bank.”
A spokesman for Thames Valley Police initially described the death as “sudden” and “unexplained”.
But after ruling out third party involvement, a file was passed to the Oxfordshire coroner.
Mr Akum-Ojong was a race and ethnic minorities at Brasenose and told in his blog how he had a “100% B.O.P (Big Organised Parties – college socials) attendance rate”.
He wrote: “I knew that by choosing PPE I would be able to enjoy reading, writing and using mathematical skills to answer the questions I find most important.
“The list of alumni has certainly given the subject a (possibly unfair) reputation for producing unsympathetic career politicians but as with any other subject, there are many who do not fit this stereotype and I have made great friends within my subject as well.”
Members of Cameroonian Solidarity UK have launched a fundraising campaign to support his family and cover funeral costs.
Jean-Pierre Du Pont wrote on Facebook: “‘It is with great sorrow and sorrow that we learn of the demise of our young compatriot Wesley Agbor- Ashu Akum Ojong at just 19 years of age, in a hospital in the city of Oxford where he resided and studied.
“Our fraternal thoughts go to his parents but also to the whole family of the Cameroonian diaspora in the UK.”
The University of Oxford issued a statement following the tragedy.
A spokesperson said: ‘The College has confirmed that a first year student has died in tragic circumstances.
“The College is in touch with the family and has been offering support to the student body.”
Mr Akum-Ojong’s inquest is set to open on Friday at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court.
