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‘Jimi The Hero:’ Man who died trying save woman from Thames could be honoured with special tribute

There are plans regarding a special tribute to honour hero Thames hero Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole.

Folajimi, who was known as Jimi, was on his way home from work at a central London restaurant when he entered the River Thames to try and save a woman, who fell from London Bridge after midnight on 24 April.

Another man jumped into the river with Jimi; he and the woman were rescued by emergency services – but Jimi’s body was not found until 6am.

The tragedy has led to calls for the Nigerian-born restaurant worker to be honoured for his selflessness and talks are under way for him to be recognised at Postman’s Park, reports The Evening Standard.

The garden, close to St Paul’s Cathedral, is home to plaques dedicated to ordinary people who have displayed acts of self-sacrifice.

Loss

His emotional parents described him as someone with “a good heart” as they spoke of their loss.

His friend, Bernard Kosia, who was with him on the night, described him as a “hero” for what he did.

Mr Olubunmi-Adewole’s father, Michael Adewola, and mother, Olasunkanmi Adewole, wept as they paid tribute to their son.

Mr Adewola said: “I want the Government to honour him.”

He added: “Jimi was a good soul to me.”

Describing him as “the breadwinner of the house”, he said he was “always taking care of me and my wife and his friends”.

He thanked all those who have supported a GoFundMe page set up to help the family.

Mrs Adewole said her son “had a good heart”.

The couple have previously been reported as saying they believe the length of the search for their son in the water was “not enough”, adding that they “want justice” for him.

Related: Fundraiser for ‘Jimi The Hero’, who jumped into Thames to save woman, passes £25k

Joe Mellor

Head of Content

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