Tragedy as Brody Leach described as 'life and soul of the room' pulled out of River Severn

Tragedy as Brody Leach described as 'life and soul of the room' pulled out of River Severn Respects have today been paid to Brody Leach, a young man who got into difficulty in the River Severn near Shrewsbury, Shropshire, during the sweltering heatwave Tributes have been paid to a 22-year-old man whose body was pulled from a river after he got into trouble in the water on the hottest June day in record. Brody Leach was found in the River Severn, in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, this morning, West Mercia Police confirmed. A large police presence was spotted at the scene, and part of the area was cordoned off. It's believed the young man, who was this afternoon described as being the "life and soul of the room", went into the water during the heatwave on Friday and didn't return. West Mercia Police said they will increase their presence along the river this weekend. A spokesperson for the force added: "Brody has been formally identified by his family and his next of kin have been made aware. Our thoughts are with them, and we ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time." Paying tribute to Brody on Facebook, one friend wrote: "RIP Brody, I cant believe this is real you really dont know how missed you will be. "You were always the life and soul of any room you walked into. Thank you for being one of the best co-worker/friends I could have asked for with all your quirky remarks and all the funny things that you say every time you would open your mouth. "My thoughts and love are with all your family and friends at this very sad time. And for one last time, ma'am, yes, ma'am, over and out." Another person wrote: "I'm so saddened to hear this. I taught Brody a few years ago and he was a genuinely lovely young man who was very well liked by both staff and students. He had a real character and is someone I'll always remember. My thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone who knew him." Brody is the second person during this June heatwave to have died. On Wednesday, a 50-year-old man was pronounced dead at Aberavon beach after getting into difficulty while swimming in the sea off the south coast of Wales. Police were called alongside paramedics to the medical incident. Police said the man needed medical assistance after entering the sea. HM Coastguard performed CPR but the man, who is from Cilfrew, Neath Port Talbot, died at the scene. His death is not being treated as suspicious. During the May heatwave, at least 15 people, the majority of whom were children, drowned while swimming in open water. It prompted widespread warnings about the dangers of swimming in open water, which is often much colder than expected and can cause cold water shock syndrome that can prove fatal. Wednesday was the first of three consecutive days on which the record for hottest June day ever was broken. Friday was confirmed by the Met Office as the UK’s hottest June day on record, with 37.3C recorded in Santon Downham, Suffolk, surpassing the high of 36.7C recorded in Merryfield, Somerset, on Thursday. The Mirror has launched the Save Lives For Sam water safety campaign to tackle the UK's growing drowning crisis. Backed by MPs, Olympic champions, national water safety organisations and bereaved families, the campaign is calling for urgent action to make our waters safer. That includes compulsory water safety lessons in schools, a nationwide public awareness campaign, better lifesaving equipment at high-risk waterways, the introduction of Sam's Law, and a dedicated Minister for Water Safety. Find out more about the campaign and how you can support it here.