On Tuesday, an inquest of a heroic 20-year-old man who jumped into the Thames to save a woman’s life will take place.
Folajimi’Jimi’ Olubunmi-Adewole is from Bermondsey, southeast London, and was on his way home from work at a restaurant in central London when he jumped into a river near the London Bridge around midnight on April 24, last year.
Both the woman and another man who went into the water to save her, Joaquin Garcia, were rescued, but Mr. Olbunmi Adewol was not found, and his body was found about 6 hours later. ..
At a previous hearing, Assistant Coroner Julian Morris said he reported that Olbunmi Adewol and another man had been partially removed before witnesses attempted to rescue him.
Reading the witness statement at the beginning of the inquest, Dr. Morris said:
“They were talking to each other and were partially undressed. They (witnesses) could hear people telling them not to jump in.
“They looked like good swimmers when they saw a man jumping in and swimming. The second jumped down after 5-10 seconds and then began to seek help on their own.”
Jimi’s courage led to a call for his actions to be recognized after death.
Among those who pay homage to the 20-year-old hero in the wake of his death was pop star Dua Lipa, who dedicated one of her awards to him at the BRIT Awards last May.
The hearing began on November 23, but will resume on Tuesday.
It will last for a day at the Inner Coroners Court in South London.