Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole, 20, identified to mates as “Jimi”, was one in every of two males who jumped into the Thames simply after midnight on Saturday.
The coastguard and marine police patrols raced to the scene and have been capable of rescue the girl and one of many males who jumped in to rescue her.
Nevertheless, Mr Olubunmi-Adewole couldn’t be discovered.
His physique was tragically found nearly six hours later after a widespread search involving police helicopters and different emergency companies.
His father Michael Adewola, 63, advised the Solar: “Jimi was a really good, type, younger man. He was the center of our household. He was energetic, he had his life to dwell, he was formidable and so gifted. He deserves a medal for what he did. He’s a really distinctive and angelic soul and I’m so pleased with him. So proud, and I would like the world to know he’s the deepest and most fantastic man.”
Buddies of the Nigerian-born Briton have additionally paid tribute to him.
“Jimi, it’s going to be bizarre not seeing you grinning such as you at all times do. Such a clean-hearted child. To have been so heroic, this actually hurts,” wrote one buddy.
One other stated: “How is it attainable that you just didn’t survive? Nonetheless in shock and nonetheless confused … you have been selfless as at all times and can be remembered for that! RIP my brother, relaxation in essentially the most excellent peace. I pray God welcomes you with open arms.”
A 3rd tweeted: “One of many kindest individuals I’ve ever met, RIP Jimmy.”
Mr Olubunmi-Adewole was a former pupil on the Harris Academy in Peckham, southeast London.
Sir Dan Moynihan, chief government of the Harris Federation, advised the Sunday Instances: “That is extremely unhappy information. The selflessness of this courageous younger man has price him his life in attempting to save lots of the lifetime of one other.
“A household and mates have been disadvantaged of watching Folajimi take pleasure in a profitable and completely satisfied life filled with potential. It is a tragic finish to a lifetime of promise — selflessly selecting to become involved in a scenario many others would have chosen to disregard.”
Mr Olubunmi-Adewole was additionally linked to the charity Malcolm’s World Basis, arrange by the mother and father of Malcolm Mide-Madariola, a Harris Academy scholar who was murdered in 2018.
The charity tweeted: “Unhappy this household simply misplaced one other hero Folajimi Olubunmi- Adewole who died saving the girl […] in River Thames yesterday.
“Pure-hearted soul. Nice helper. Loving boy. RIP #JimiTheHero,” it added.
One among Mr Olubunmi-Adewole’s closest mates, Joseph Sowole, 20, stated that he “wasn’t even barely shocked” to listen to about his actions in attempting to save lots of the girl.
“Jimi was a really caring particular person and a really family-orientated particular person,” he advised the newspaper.
He added that Jimi’s mom “is simply devastated” and “the entire group is so upset”.
Officers are but to substantiate how or why the girl fell into the River Thames.
It was the second incident of somebody falling into the Thames this week, with police persevering with to seek for a lacking 13-year-old boy who plunged into the river from Tower Bridge.
Specialist officers from the Metropolis of London Police have been main the seek for the yr 8 scholar after he fell into the river simply after 8am on Tuesday.
Witnesses advised The Solar they noticed the boy fall into the rive earlier than one courageous onlooker waded into the water to attempt to save him.
Nevertheless the girl was solely capable of retrieve his schoolbag.
Metropolis of London Police stated regardless of an “intensive search” by officers, helicopter and marine models, the boy had not but been discovered.