A young Teignmouth man abducted from an African diamond mine by armed men probably drowned after being hit on the head, his parents now fear.

Jason Pope was 26 when he and other workers at the mine near Yetwene in wartorn Angola were snatched almost 11 years ago and taken into the jungle.

His father and mother, Nev and Alan, spent years trying to find out what happened to him.

'We will probably never discover the exact truth, but from all the research we have carried out through various contacts and agencies, we think he was thrown in a river after being struck on the head and drowned,' said Mr Pope.

'We never gave up hope for a long time that he might still be alive somewhere, but now, sadly, we have to accept that he is dead.'

Jason was a popular lad, who played rugby for the Teignmouth club, and other sports, and enjoyed the outdoor life.

His disappearance shocked the town. His parents explored every avenue and followed up every rumour, to try and find out if he was still alive, whatever the cost.

Mr Pope even flew out to Africa to carry out his own search and speak to people who might have known something.

The couple are embroiled in a long running legal battle with the mine owners, who they believe should have given better protection to workers in such a volatile region. They are also acting on behalf of three other bereaved families and the action is running before the High Court.

Mr and Mrs Pope laid out a remembrance garden, Jason's Garden, on the clifftop at Eastcliff in memory of their son, and it will be open to the public on Sunday and Monday from 10am to 4pm on behalf of the National Gardens Scheme.

There will be other open days during the summer – on June 20 and 21 to coincide with the Teignmouth Folk Festival; July 11 and 12, in aid of the Railway Children's Charity; on August 22 for the RNLI, and August 30 and 31, again for the NGS.

This week Alan presented a cheque for £1,000 to Ian Palmer, chairman of the Teignmouth Beach Surf Life Saving Club, which was one of the clubs Jason was involved with.

It was the bulk of the £2,500 raised from the open days at the garden last year, and other donations went to the garden scheme, Rowcroft hospice, the Rotary tree of light and Shelterbox, and the Wooden Spoon rugby charity.

JasondrownedJW.28.04.09