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​Family Of Man Who Died Saving Woman In Thames Believe Rescue Called Off Prematurely

​Family Of Man Who Died Saving Woman In Thames Believe Rescue Called Off Prematurely

Folajimi ‘Jimi’ Olubunmi-Adewole had been walking home on Saturday night when he jumped into the River Thames to save a woman

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

The family of a man who jumped into the River Thames in London to help save a woman have said rescue efforts were called off prematurely.

Folajimi 'Jimi' Olubunmi-Adewole had been walking home from work late on Saturday night when he and another man jumped into the Thames to try and rescue a woman.

While rescuers managed to save the woman and the second man, 20-year-old Jimi was tragically swept away - his body found six hours later.

His parents, Michael Adewola, 63, and Olasunkanmi Adewole, 54, said they were devastated and are seeking 'justice' for their son.

Malcolm's World Foundation

Explaining that his son would often help other people in his area, Michael told Sky News: "He had a very good heart and he was very good son to me."

He added that he believes the hour-long search for Jimi in the water was 'not enough'.

Michael said Jimi was a 'very nice guy' and a 'good boy', while Olasunkanmi also said: "I feel bad, because my son was trying to rescue a woman. I feel so bad... and I want people to help me. I want justice for my son."

Jimi's friend Bernard, who had been with him at the time, recalled how Jimi had dived into the water with the other man to help the woman - who he said was screaming, 'Help me, help me, I'm gonna die'.

Bernard said: "Instantly Jimi looked at me and I said, 'alright, we can look for her'. But we couldn't see her, it was pitch black."

He said he could hear Jimi shouting his name as he lost sight of his friend, continuing: "Someone should have been there, someone should have jumped in and tried to rescue both of them.

"At least rescue my friend. And then I didn't hear anything, the radios were going off, [and] I asked one of the men that was sitting next to me that was a policeman, if he's heard anything. He said two people were saved."

A GoFundMe campaign has since been set up to raise money for Jimi's family.
GoFundMe

A spokesperson for City of London Police said in a statement: "We were called at 12.12am on Saturday 24 April to reports of a woman in the River Thames close to London Bridge.

"Two men, who had witnessed the woman fall from the bridge, entered the river to try and save her. The Coastguard and Metropolitan Police Marine Units were able to rescue the woman and one of the men."

Matt Leat, HM Coastguard's Strategic Maritime Commander, told Sky: "HM Coastguard coordinated a multi-agency search involving five Search and Rescue vessels, visual searches from bridges and an aerial search by the police helicopter.

"Despite conflicting reports about how many people had entered the water, we responded fully to the suggestion of a third person in the water.

"Conditions were good for a search on the night, with a slow moving tide and a high volume of units from emergency services in attendance. It was determined where in the water the person could possibly be and each area was thoroughly searched multiple times.

"Despite our best efforts, the sad decision was made to suspend the search at 1.20am when no sign of the person was found."

Detective Chief Supt Oliver Shaw added: "I would like to send my deepest condolences, and the condolences of everyone at City of London Police, to the family and friends of this brave, kind and selfless young man.

"Our officers arrived extremely quickly to the scene but two members of the public had already entered the water. One man had managed to swim to the woman and they were both seen above water by the Coastguard.

"Sadly, there was no sign of the other rescuer. We remained on scene to assist the marine units and police helicopter with the search in the water. This was stood down by the Coastguard over an hour later.

"We continued to search the shore of the river, in person and using our network of CCTV cameras, and unfortunately, at 05.46 a body was discovered."

A GoFundMe campaign set up for Jimi's family in the wake of his death has already raised £70,000.

The campaign's description said Jimi was a 'pure-hearted soul', a 'great helper' and a 'loving boy', adding: "RIP Jimi the Hero."

Featured Image Credit: GoFundMe

Topics: UK News, News