Tomi Obi Solomon · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 9/6/21 I opened an inquest into the death of Tomi Obi Solomon who, at the date of his death was aged 13 years old. The inquest was resumed and concluded on 7/3/22.

I found that the cause of death to be:
1a Drowning (submersion in water)

The inquest arrived at a conclusion of Misadventure

At approximately 2.10pm on Tuesday 1/6/21 Tomi met up with a group of his friends at the location of a narrow bridge, accessed by Huntingdon Road to the East of Brighouse, which crosses a river section of the Calder and Hebble Navigation running from Sowerby Bridge to the West of Wakefield.

The inquest heard that some 20-35 young teenagers eventually arrived and congregated on the bridge. I heard from several of Tomi’s friends who suggested that the location was an attraction at a time of hot weather, since they would meet to socialise and to bathe and swim in the waters of the river under the bridge.

In addition, there was also a practice of jumping from the bridge into the river, which was achieved by climbing over a fence on the bridge and onto a concrete platform before then jumping in either individually and upon occasions girls and boys jumping whilst holding hands.

It is under these circumstances that Tomi also jumped voluntarily from the bridge, but tragically upon entering the waters he struggled to swim and he drowned.

Given the locations popularity with many teenagers in the area, I would ask you to consider the appropriateness of the existing safety measures on the bridge and surrounding area and whether you consider actions are necessary to deter such activities in order to prevent further occurrences and like tragedies.