Knife killer Jordan Mayers died in Barbados jet ski crash

Jordan Mayers, 29, was turning his life around by studying business management at university after spending years behind bars for killing a teenager.

But he suffered a fatal head injury when he crashed into his cousin's jet ski off a popular tourist beach in Barbados while visiting his mum's family just three days before Christmas, the hearing was told.

Mayers had been jailed for life in 2007, aged 20, after being convicted of the murder of 19-year-old Emmanuel Odenewu who was stabbed in the head, neck and chest at a bus stop outside Lewisham police station in a row over drugs.

MORE: 21-year-old jailed for killing man at bus stop

But Mayers had his sentence cut by two-thirds in 2009 after a legal ruling on the use of anonymous witnesses led to the quashing of his murder conviction.

Prosecutors decided not to pursue a re-trial and Mayers pleaded guilty to manslaughter in May 2009. He was jailed for 10 years.

Emmanuel Odunewu, aged 19, was stabbed to death at a bus stop outside Lewisham police station

An inquest into his death has now been held, during which Southwark Coroner's Court heard Mayers was just one day into a family reunion on the Caribbean holiday island in December 2016 when he was killed after accidentally colliding with his cousin's jet ski.

Coroner Dr Andrew Harris said the only report of the fatal accident came from the Royal Barbados Police.

He told the hearing: "It says they rented the jet skis for 30 minutes and instructions were given to both of them.

"Jordan's cousin, Samuel Joshua, slowed down and Jordan reached him; Samuel was stationary.

"Given the rainy conditions, Jordan drove the jet ski towards Samuel. but didn't stop.

"He collided into the jet ski and was thrown into the water.

"Samuel Joshua went to his aid and he was assisted by two American tourists - but could not be revived."

Mayers' father Winston Trew, who was not on the holiday and is estranged from his son's mum, told the hearing he remains "cut up" that there were no lifeguards on duty at tourist spot Welches Beach at the time of the fatal collision.

Mr Trew said: "I keep on thinking that if there was a lifeguard there then Jordan might have been rescued and survived.

"The police report doesn't mention whether there were lifeguards.

"Jordan wasn't a risk-taker, he was physically fit and a strong swimmer.

"I want to get closure, I want to know what happened. If he didn't have the head injury, he might not have drowned.

"I have to accept the fact that I don't know the circumstances."

Dr Harris ruled that Mayers died from a head injury caused by an accident.

Speaking after the inquest, Mr Trew said his son had turned his life around after being released from jail, and was a "good and well loved student" on the business management course at Metropolitan University in north London.

MORE: Mum of stabbed teenager prepared to forgive

Mr Trew described the manslaughter conviction as "a low point" in his son's life but his family supported him through it.

He added: "The university knew about it and they supported him. They gave him his diploma, even though he wasn't there to finish the course.

"He was a good and well loved student. Me and my wife were going to give him some money so he could start up his own business."