Gifted Oxford student died after end of term bridge jump swimming celebration

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A talented student drowned after jumping into a river at a beauty spot - alongside 200 others as onlookers filmed the celebration ritual on their mobile phones.Gifted teenager Wesley Akum-Ojong, who studied at Oxford, took part in the practice on June 21 this year to commemorate the end of his first-year exams.It is part of a tradition called 'trashing' and took place at Port Meadow - a meadow and nature reserve in Oxford.

The 19-year-old was studying politics, philosophy and economics.The Mirror reports an inquest heard he was filmed leaping from the bridge with others and footage shows him resurfacing but he did not make it back to shore.

It wasn’t until 45 minutes later that friends realised he was missing and called 999. Mr Akum-Ojong, a former pupil of Watford Grammar School for Boys, jumped from the bridge at 6.52pm.The emergency services were called at 7.29pm.

Firefighters recovered the teenager's body from the bottom of the River Thames at 8.10pm and medics spent an hour and 20 minutes trying to revive the teen, the court heard.Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.