Hero, 20, who died after jumping into the River Thames to save woman who fell from London Bridge is nominated for bravery award
- Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole has been nominated by City of London Police
- Police say it is right that 20-year-old, known as Jimi, is recognised for bravery
- Force also to award him with a commendation from Commissioner Ian Dyson
- Coastguard were able to save the woman the other man who had jumped in
A 20-year-old man who died after jumping into the River Thames to rescue a woman who fell from London Bridge has been nominated for a bravery award.
The City of London Police nominated Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole for the award after he lost his life diving into the river after spotting the woman fall from the bridge.
Police have said it is ‘absolutely right’ that he is nominated for the award from the Royal Humane Society.
The force is also looking to award him with a commendation from Commissioner Ian Dyson.
Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole, 20, known as Jimi, drowned in the River Thames after diving in to rescue a woman
Known as Jimi, Mr Olubunmi-Adewole was on his way home from work around midnight on April 26 when the woman fell from the bridge.
After diving in to rescue her, the woman and another man who also jumped into the water were rescued by the Coastguard and the Metropolitan Police’s river unit, but Jimi was not found after a search which called off after more than an hour.
Police then said a body which was later formally identified to be that of Jimi was discovered at 6am on Saturday.
A City of London Police spokesperson said: ‘We feel that is absolutely right to recognise the bravery and selfless actions of Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole, known as Jimi.
Pictured: A police boat on the River Thames with London Bridge in the background during the search for the man who jumped into the river to save a woman
Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole, 20, drowned in the River Thames after diving in to rescue a woman
‘To honour his memory and heroism, we have contacted the Royal Humane Society to start the nomination process for their bravery award, and we are also looking to award Jimi a commissioner’s commendation from the City of London Police.
‘Our thoughts remain with his friends and family at this difficult time.’
As the plans were announced, his family paid tribute to him, describing him as an ‘loving son’ and ‘best friend’ who is ‘irreplaceable’.
In statements through the police, his father Michael Adewola, 63, said: ‘Jimi is a loving son and my best friend. He has a good heart and always willing to help everyone around him. I’ll forever miss him.’
Mr Adewola earlier told The Sun: ‘Jimi was a very nice, kind young man, he was the heart of our family.
‘He was full of live, he had his life to live, he was ambitious and he was so gifted.
Jimi died after jumping into the River Thames to rescue a woman who fell from London Bridge. Pictured: London Bridge
‘He was a previous boy, and so respectful and pure-hearted. Sometimes I don’t know how these boys are like this together, he was just something else.
‘We want justice for him. ‘We want his life to mean something, it will always mean something to us, but he should be rewarded for the bravery he showed, he deserves a medal for what he did.
‘He is a very unique and angelic soul, and I am proud him, so proud, and I want to know the world he is the deepest and most wonderful man.’
Jimi’s family say they have been left ’empty’ by his death
His mother Olasunkanmi Adewole, 54, added: ‘I feel bad, because my son was trying to rescue a woman.
‘My son Jimi is my strength, he takes care of me and everyone. I’m empty without Jimi. I pray to have peace in my life.’