Thames hero is buried as family say ‘we’ve been overwhelmed’

THE family of a young man who died trying to save a woman from the Thames said they were “overwhelmed” by the support they have received from the public as they held his funeral today.

Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole, known as Jimi by his friends, died after diving into the river in a rescue attempt last month. The 20-yearold’s funeral was being held at the Best Way International Christian Centre in south-east London today.

The numbers were limited to 30 because of Covid restrictions but the event was being live streamed. An order of service features a picture of the victim with the words “Jimi the hero” next to it. He was being buried in Camberwell New Cemetery.

Tributes poured in for the man who lived with his family in Bermondsey amid growing calls for him to be given a posthumous medal. His father Michael Adewola, 63, said: “He is a hero and always will be.”

Jimi was on his way home from work when he was alerted to a woman, who survived the incident, falling into the river. The death was the second tragedy for the family after Jimi’s cousin Malcolm Mide-Madariola, 17, was fatally stabbed trying to protect a teenager in Clapham in 2018.

Jimi’s uncle and Malcolm’s father Olumide Wole-Madariola said of the funeral and the public response: “It’s overwhelming. The family are full of anxiety, they feel under pressure, they are doing their best. It’s been a very difficult time for my family.” The funeral comes after pop star Dua Lipa paid tribute to Jimi at the Brit awards on Tuesday. She joined calls for him and fellow rescuer Joaquin Garcia, 21, to be given bravery awards.