The father of Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole, who died trying to save a woman who fell off London Bridge, has called for his son to be awarded a George Cross honour for his heroics.
The George Cross is the highest civilian medal in the UK for bravery awarded for acts of great heroism and courage in extreme danger.
Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole, 20, fondly called Jimi, was on his way home from work when he and another man entered River Thames at around midnight on Saturday to rescue a Briton.
While the woman and the other man were rescued by the Coastguard and the Metropolitan Police’s Marine Unit, Jimi wasn’t found after an extensive search.
His father Michael Adewola said on Tuesday on ITV’s Good Morning Britain that his son deserved to be honoured.
“Jimi went to go and rescue a lady who was crying for help after she fell into the water. Unfortunately at the end of it, Jimi lost his life for the rescue,” he said.
“I want the Government to honour him… Because Jimi, the boy was a good soul to me.
“He was the breadwinner for the house, always taking care of me and my wife and his friends, he was a very good boy.
“It is sad to me to lose Jimi. I want the Government to do something, money’s nothing… We need a decision so his name cannot vanish forever.”
A campaign to petition the government to get Jimi a posthumous George Cross has been established.
His teary mother Olasunkanmi Adewole had previously said: “I feel bad, because my son was trying to rescue a woman. I feel so bad.. and I want people to help me. I want justice for my son.”
The deceased’s friend Bernard Kosia, who was with him at the time of the tragic rescue attempt, told Good Morning Britain Jimi was “adamant” he was going to save the woman.
