Oxford University student's heartfelt blog found after death

Wesley Akum-Ojong was reading Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Brasenose College in his first year.

The 19-year-old died shortly after being pulled from the water at Port Meadow by rescuers on Friday, June 21.

Thames Valley Police as well as Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene and Mr Akum-Ojong was taken to hospital but died despite the efforts of the emergency service staff.

An inquest opening into his death is scheduled to take place at Oxford Coroner's Court on Friday.

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Wesley Akum-Ojong was at Brasenose College in Oxford. (Image: Wesley Akum-Ojong / Brasenose College)

The first year student was allegedly celebrating the end of university exams along with fellow students before he entered the water.

An eyewitness previously told the Oxford Mail: “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 made it back to the bank.

“There was a massive emergency response after his friends noticed that he didn't come out of the water, from the fire, search and rescue, ambulance and police services before they found the man and unsuccessfully attempted to resuscitate him on the bank.

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The incident happened at Port Meadow in June.

“The man passed away which was confirmed in an email sent to students in his college.

“I was there and witnessed this unfolding.”

The University of Oxford previously confirmed the news in an update directly issued to the Oxford Mail earlier this month.

A university 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.

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The student had been studying at the University of Oxford. (Image: Newsquest)

“Out of respect for the family’s privacy at this difficult time, they are not yet disclosing the name of the student or the college.”

Mr Akum-Ojong, who had previously attended Watford Grammar School for Boys, had been writing a blog in which he described his first year at university as "the best period of my life so far".

The piece was published on Brasenose College’s website around April and said: "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.

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"There really is no place like Brasenose.

"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?

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Brasenose College at the University of Oxford. (Image: Brasenose College)

"Of course, none of these fears materialised, and arriving in Oxford started (possibly) the best period of my life so far."

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