Plaque for ex-Peckham student who died saving woman from Thames

Folajimi "Jimi" Olubumni-Adewole, a former pupil at Harris Academy Peckham, died in April 2021. 

The plaque honouring him was unveiled by the Living Bankside charity yesterday (January 22) in Cathedral Square near London Bridge, where he jumped in.

Jimi Olubunmi-Adewole’s extraordinary act of bravery, jumping into the Thames to rescue a woman from drowing, will never be forgotten.

This plaque unveiled today means the city which mourns Jimi will also never forget him – the Bermondsey boy & hero who became a symbol of light. pic.twitter.com/d4fH1aRh8C

— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) January 22, 2023

• READ MORE: WATCH: Violent fight breaks out in London McDonald's

Jimi was on his way home from work at a central London restaurant when he and another man, Joaquin Garcia, entered the water. 

Joaquim and the woman were saved by the coastguard and marine police but Jimi couldn't be found.

May the selfless hero Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole inspire us to help others in need.

He dived into the Thames to save a another. Sadly he lost his life. Today with his family & friends, @SadiqKhan @MayorofLondon & @BishopSouthwark we dedicated a memorial plaque to celebrate him pic.twitter.com/pksLzj00pM

— Living Bankside (@livingbankside) January 22, 2023

His body was recovered about six hours later near London Bridge.

Mayor of London, who attended the ceremony, said Jimi's extraordinary act of bravery will never be forgotten. 

He added the plaque means the city will never forget the "Bermondsey boy and hero".

In a tweet on Twitter, he explained: "Jimi Olubunmi-Adewole’s extraordinary act of bravery, jumping into the Thames to rescue a woman from drowning, will never be forgotten.

"This plaque unveiled today means the city which mourns Jimi will also never forget him – the Bermondsey boy & hero who became a symbol of light."