A FATHER has paid tribute to his heroic son, who passed away after he jumped into the Thames to rescue a woman.

20-year-old Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole, known to his friends as Jimi, was coming home from work when he saw a woman enter the river after falling from London Bridge at around midnight.

He and a friend entered the river to try and assist the woman.

The coastguard and the Metropolitan Police’s marine unit managed to rescue Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole’s friend and the woman who entered the river, however they could not find his body.

At 6am today, a body that is believed to be Olubunmi-Adewole’s was found following a six hour intensive search and rescue effort.

Speaking to the Sun, Michael Adewole, Olubunmi-Adewole’s father said his son deserved a bravery medal.

“He is a very unique and angelic soul, and I am proud of him, so proud, and I want the world to know he is the deepest and most wonderful man,” said Adewole.

“He is my hero, and always will be, I can’t bring him back but I want him to be remembered forever for what he did, it was just like him to want to always try and help others.

“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.”

His friends, and strangers who were touched by the story have paid tribute to his kindness and selflessness.

A fundraising page has been set up to help Olubunmi-Adewole’s family.

“This is to support the funeral and the rest for post-funeral as he was a hardworking college graduate who at 20 was the family’s breadwinner,” the page reads.

So far the page has exceeded its £25,000 target and £59,463 has been raised.

You can donate here.

According to the Daily Mail, Olubunmi-Adewole’s cousin died in 2018 trying to save a friend.