Yahoo News Man on night out in Stratford-upon-Avon drowns after jumping into river to escape gang of thugs
A 26-year-old man on a night out has drowned after leaping into a river in a desperate attempt to escape a gang of thugs.
Cameron Whelan was out in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warks., when he was set upon just yards from Shakespeare’s home.
Mr Whelan, from Birmingham, was then chased by the yobs from outside the town’s McDonald’s and leapt into the River Avon to try and escape his attackers.
A major police search was launched following the incident last Friday but his body was recovered downstream on Tuesday evening.
In a statement, his family said: ‘Cameron will be highly missed; he was loved by everyone who knew him.’
Detective Inspector Tim Sharp, of Warwickshire Police, said: ‘We are still keen to speak to anyone who saw a man enter the water on Friday night.’
Residents in the town expressed shock at the death.
Local campaigner David Turner, 40, said: ‘It’s definitely got worse in the town in recent years for violence.
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‘There are gangs of louts who think tourists and visitors are fair game and pick fights or try and mug them.
‘What is believed about this poor chap is that he was attacked for no reason and tried to outrun the thugs and just launched himself into the river out of sheer desperation.
‘Because of the rain, the river was particularly powerful so one can only assume he was dragged under.’
Mr Turner added: ‘The police do their best but with cut backs and fewer officers on the streets what can you do? If the evil people ever get caught they should be charged with murder.’
