Gifted Oxford student branded ‘future PM’ drowned after jumping into river with pals to celebrate finishing exams
A GIFTED Oxford University student drowned after jumping into the River Thames while celebrating his end of exams.
Wesley Akum-Ojong tragically died after completing his first year studying politics, philosophy and economics (PPE) at Brasenose College on June 21 this year.
The 19-year-old jumped from a bridge at the Port Meadow beauty spot at 6.52pm and went missing in the water for over an hour.
He had been "trashed", a uni tradition where students celebrating the end of year are covered with shaving foam and confetti.
One friend told police how Wesley had only completed is last exam at 5.30pm that evening.
She said in a written statement how students would jump into the river after being 'trashed' to "wash it all off".
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An inquest at Oxfordshire Coroner's Court heard Wesley, who aspired to be Britain's youngest prime minister, headed to the water with a large group of other undergrads.
The teen told one of his friends he felt "apprehensive" about jumping in, the inquest heard.
In a post-mortem examination report, pathologist Professor Ian Roberts said toxicology tests had found no evidence of intoxication.
One student said they saw Wesley resurface immediately after landing in the water.
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But, he never made his way back to the river bank, and the group called 999 after around 40 minutes.
A video taken of the moment Wesley jumps in showed him appearing "to be struggling a little" but "nobody seems to have realised";, said an officer who was at the scene.
The inquest heard the 19-year-old was wearing "heavy clothes".
Emergency services arrived just after 7.30pm, and Wesley was pulled from the water by firefighters at 8.10pm.
Paramedics performed CPR and tried to revive him for over an hour before he was rushed to John Radcliffe Hospital.
Wesley arrived at 9.31pm but was sadly pronounced dead 12 minutes later.
A student who had been on the bridge at the same time as the teen told police she was swimming for about an hour after jumping in.
She said she "found it hard to understand how someone could've missed Wesley being in distress in the water."
Thames Valley Police said around 200 people had gathered at the river bank as the tragedy unfolded.
A witness told the force: "It was hard to concentrate as there were so many excited people around."
Wesley's family described him as a dutiful, "kind, caring and helpful" student.
He was the only student from his year at Watford Grammar School for Boys to attend Oxford.
The teen was born in Cameroon and moved to Britain when he was four months old.
His GP said he did not have a history of any long-term conditions.
Area coroner for Oxfordshire Nicholas Graham concluded the student drowned by accident.
Wesley's heartbroken mother, Patience Akum-Ojong, and other family members pressed the coroner on why more blood than water had been found in the teen's lungs.
The family also challenged why many other students had died in similar circumstances at Oxford.
Jane Harris, co-director of student welfare and support services at the university, said records across the past 12 years revealed Wesley was the only student to die in the water during a "celebration".
Dr Simon Smith, a senior tutor at Brasenose College, said in a written statement read at the inquest the college warns students about celebrating the end of their exams safely.
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He added that the university had re-run a campaign this year encouraging students to celebrate sustainably.
It warns anyone who throws, pours or sprays substances after their exams are liable to a £150 fine for breaching the university's Code of Discipline.
