Tributes paid to 17-year-old student who drowned on school trip to Sussex beach

Receive our free Morning Headlines email for breaking news from our reporters around the world

Sign up for our free Morning Headlines email

Tributes were paid to a young futsal coach who “brought joy to everyone he met” after he died during a school trip to a beach to celebrate the end of the school year.

Samuel Oluwagbenga, 17, was part of a group of students from Uxbridge College in west London who visited West Wittering in West Sussex on July 2.

The teenager is believed to have gotten into trouble in the sea in what his headmaster described as a “tragic accident”. He was airlifted to hospital but died.

A fundraiser to raise money for the teenager’s funeral has so far raised more than £7,200.

A statement from the TikiTaca Futsal Academy in Uxbridge, where Mr Oluwagbenga worked, was posted on its JustGiving page.

Yaseen Ebrahim wrote: “Samuel was an energetic 17-year-old who brought so much joy to everyone he met. He loved his little brother and spent his weekends coaching younger children in the Uxbridge Community futsal league. We are devastated to hear of his passing.

“With the emotional pain and stress this has caused, the financial burden on Samuel’s family is an added stressor. During this difficult time, we are appealing to the community to help us raise funds for Taiwo, Samuel’s mother, for any funeral costs. All funds will be sent directly to Taiwo. Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.”

A friend posted on Instagram: “Thank you so much for showing love and care. I hope my best friend, wherever he is, is happy. We are really hurting. I think about him every second. Every time I close my eyes I see his face. It’s a lot to process.”

At around 1pm on July 2, emergency services received a report of concerns for the welfare of the teenager in the water at West Wittering beach, near Chichester.

A university spokesman said the student had gotten into difficulty in the sea and that it was “unfortunately not possible to save him”.

Uxbridge College Principal Dylan McTaggart said: “This was a tragic accident that has had a huge impact on everyone here. Our priority now is to care for all those affected.

“We have engaged the assistance of qualified advisors and will ensure we have staff and professional support available to our community in the days and weeks ahead.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and we ask that you respect their privacy as they grieve the loss of a child.”

Detective Constable Darren Taylor, of Sussex Police, said officers were conducting investigations to establish all the facts, supported by the Health and Safety Executive.

“This was an absolutely tragic incident and I would like to express my sincere condolences to the boy’s loved ones at this heartbreaking time,” he said.

“We are asking anyone with information that could help to contact us online or on 101, quoting Operation Redhill.”