Fundraiser for Thames "hero" who died trying to save woman reaches £100,000
A fundraiser for the family of a London "hero" who died after jumping into the River Thames at the weekend to try and save a stranger has raised more than £100,000.
Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole, who was known as Jimi, was on his way home from work at a central London restaurant when he entered the water at around midnight on Saturday.
He has been described by family and friends as "much-loved'' and a "true hero'' and praised by authorities for his actions.
A GoFundMe fundraiser to support Mr Olubunmi-Adewole's family has now passed £100,000, four times the 25,000 target, with more than 5,000 people donating towards the funeral costs and support for the family
Mr Olubunmi-Adewole was with a friend, Bernard, when they heard a woman had fallen into the Thames.
Bernard told Sky News:
"There's a woman that's just jumped aboard, we can hear the woman screaming, 'Help me, help me, I'm gonna die'.
"Instantly Jimi looked at me and I said, 'All right, we can look for her'. But we couldn't see her, it was pitch black.''
Mr Olubunmi-Adewole's mother, 54-year-old Olasunkanmi Adewole, told Sky News:
"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.''
Vivek Singh, chief executive and executive chef of The Cinnamon Club, where Mr Olubunmi-Adewole worked, joined those in paying tribute, saying he was "diligent, kind and passionate''.
"We are absolutely devastated and are trying to come to terms with the tragic death of Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole,'' he said.
"Jimi, as he was known to everyone at The Cinnamon Club, was a much-loved member of the front of house team and we are all reeling from this incredibly tragic news.
"He worked with The Cinnamon Club for over the year and was a diligent, kind and passionate young man, a real team player.
"What he did was a tremendous and selfless act of bravery, to save the life of a complete stranger.
"He will be remembered as a true hero.''
A body was found at 6am on Saturday morning, police said, which has since been formally identified as that of Mr Olubunmi-Adewole.
Detective Chief Superintendent Oliver Shaw, from City of London Police, described him as a "brave, kind and selfless young man''.
He said:
"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.
"The circumstances of this incident are extremely tragic. We continue to support the family of this heroic young man who heartbreakingly lost his own life trying to save that of another.''