A man who jumped into the River Thames to rescue a woman who fell from London Bridge has shared his hopes that the other stranger who accompanied him but tragically died in the process will be honoured for his bravery.
Shortly after midnight on April 24, 20-year-old Jimi Olubunmi-Adewole – who selflessly put his life on the line to save a stranger – sadly didn’t survive his brave attempts.
His death has since been met with an outpouring of admiration, with many urging for him to be honoured for his remarkable bravery – but he wasn’t alone that night.
Speaking to presenters Holly Willougby and Phillip Schofield, Argentinian-born chef Joaquín García, 21 – who also jumped into the icy waters that night in a bid to keep the woman alive until further help arrived – has recalled his memories of the terrifying ordeal.
‘Around 5’clock my girlfriend told me, “you know the guy that jumped with you, he passed away.” It very shocking, I had to rely on a wall,’ said an emotional Joaquín. ‘I jumped from here and he jumped from here – it was 2 metres. I don’t know why I arrived to the girl and he didn’t. The last time I saw Jimi was when we jumped.’
Argentinian-born chef Joaquín García (pictured), 21, appeared on This Morning today and recalled the terrifying memories of April 24 – when he jumped into the River Thames to rescue a woman who fell from London Bridge
Just over two weeks ago, 20-year-old Jimi Olubunmi-Adewole (pictured) tragically lost his life while trying to rescue a woman from the River Thames
Speaking of when he was first aware of when something was happening, Joaquín explained: ‘I was just waiting for a bus when I started hearing someone screaming and shouting.’
‘I started to have a look and saw who turned out to be Jimi and Bernard who were running from left and right, shouting and panicking. I thought something serious is going on.’
He continued: ‘There was a little fence on the building, and they jumped inside. At that point, I thought, “I’m going to cross the street and ask what is happening.”
At that point, Bernard was running and started to point to the river and was shouting, “She’s there, she’s there.” I went to the bridge to where he was pointing and I saw two girls calling the police. I looked to the river and I saw just one face and two hands just splashing.
Joaquín and Jimi, who had never met before, found themselves standing on the bridge ready to jump in.
‘At that moment, we found ourselves standing on the bridge.,’ explained Joaquín. ‘When I heard they were calling the police, my mind said jump, but not from the top of the bridge, so I just ran downstairs.’
‘There I met Jimi and Bernard and Jimi was already shirtless. That’s a key point for treating him like a hero – he was not expecting any help. He was already going to jump.’
Joaquín (pictured), who says it feels ‘really emotional’ that people are supporting the campaign to give Jimi a hero medal, says at first, he struggled to see himself as one.
Jimi turned his head and said, “are you going to jump with me.” I said “yes” and started to undress quickly. He counted down from three and he got to two and I just jumped. I was just in underwear and socks.’
Holly went on to ask whether Joaquín was aware of the coldness around him.
‘Not at all,’ replied Joaquín. ‘Actually, in the ambulance one of the guys said to me, “the cold must have taken me breath away” and I said, “actually not really.” I just dived in and started to swim directly to her and the first thing I tried was to pull her back.’
‘We were already further from when I jumped and had be in more time than me and was already unconscious.’
Presenter Phillip Schofield went on to explain that Joaquín decided to go with the flow and just keep the stranger afloat – and urged her to turn herself into a plank. He wasn’t aware if she could hear him properly, but she did comply.
‘I couldn’t see her eyes and she didn’t say a word during the time,’ recalled Joaquín. ‘By then we were already ten or 15 minutes n and I was feeling tired and in that moment I don’t know why but I couldn’t do the plank.’
Speaking to presenters Holly Willougby and Phillip Schofield (pictured), Joaquín García – who also put his life on the line to save a stranger – has recalled his memories of the terrifying evening.
‘I don’t know if it was the current, but I also started to swallow a bit of water and that moment was quite critical because I was struggling. I turned to look for Jimi or for some help and then I saw blue lights.’
To Joaquín’s relief the lights were two rescue boats who had come in to save the pair – and they were taken to St Thomas’ hospital.
‘I didn’t know where Jimi was but when I was rescued they were asking me, “how many of you jumped? Are you Jimi? I said, “no I’m Joaquín.” In that moment, they told me: “The girl is safe, you are safe, but we didn’t find Jimi.”
However, it wasn’t until days later that Joaquín was told by his girlfriend that the recovery team had sadly found Jimi and that he had died in the river.
Now, Joaquín, who says it feels ‘really emotional’ that people are supporting the campaign to give Jimi a hero medal, says at first, he struggled to see himself as one.
‘On the first days it was quite hard to think of myself as a hero,’ he said. ‘I don’t know if I’m too hard on myself but the moment I had to leave her because I was struggling when I swallowing water, I checked she was OK doing the plank, but I swam instinctively for help…’
Presenter Phillip went on to reassure him that the the boat was already there and that he’d stayed with her all that time and kept her afloat.
‘One colleague sent me a screenshot saying I should be honoured as well and that felt good at the time,’ said Joaquin. ‘To be called “hero” and “legend” at the time was overwhelming because it reminded me of the shock.’