Man drowns after jumping into river on night out

A man described as "an unforgettable character" has drowned after he jumped into a river to cool off following a night out.

Gavin Campbell, originally from Worcester, was pulled from the River Wensum in Norwich, in the early hours of Sunday 31 May.

The 42-year-old had moved to Great Yarmouth last year and went down to the beach most nights after work to swim in the sea, according to his mum, Jane Mallice.

She said: "He was such a strong swimmer – he was my Peter Pan. He thought he was invincible and was going to live forever."

"He'd take his clothes off and dive in the sea," she added. "I'd ask him 'don't you think that's dangerous?' and he'd say 'no, it's beautiful'."

Mallice said in the days before her son's death, she had seen several news stories about young people dying after getting into difficulties in water during the heat wave.

With more hot weather forecast for June, she warned: "Don't underestimate the strength of the water. The water is a dangerous place."

Campbell was born in Worcester and grew up in homes on Chestnut Street and Droitwich Road, apart from a few years as a child when the family lived in Australia.

He went to school at St Barnabas and Bishop Perowne, before working at various restaurants and pubs in Ombersley.

"That was his happy place," said Mallice, "he was adored in the village."

He also worked at Worcestershire Royal Hospital before starting work with Baywater, a job which took him to Crewe and then Great Yarmouth.

Campbell's sister Samantha said he made friends wherever he went.

"He had friends all over the world," she said. "We still have family in Australia, he has friends in Malta – he went on holiday two or three times a year and no-one ever forgot him.

"He was an unforgettable character. He lit up a room and brought people together. He had an infectious laugh.

"Gavin worked hard and partied harder. And he had just found the love of his life, they had been together for eight months.

"I spoke to him two days before he died and he said, 'I'm so happy Sis – I've found somebody'. He lived his best life."

Norfolk Constabulary said a man died after entering a river in Norwich on 31 May.

"Police were called at 00:28 BST to Riverside Road following reports a man had entered the water and not resurfaced," the force said.

"Emergency services, including fire and ambulance, attended and pulled a man in his 40s from the river. He was taken to hospital but sadly later died.

"The death is not believed to be suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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