Never forgotten
TRIBUTES have been paid to a student who died in a kayaking tragedy.
Tom Lloyd, 24, was killed on Tuesday evening after getting into difficulty on the Glaslyn river near Beddgelert.
He was a “very well-liked student” who had spent the summer in Norway working as a kayak instructor.
Mr Lloyd, in his third year at Bangor University, was described as the “life and soul of the party” by his devastated friends, who said he will “forever be in our hearts”.
They also revealed how just last week Mr Lloyd, from Whittington, Staffordshire, had saved a woman’s life by giving her CPR when she had a heart attack.
They said: “Tom Lloyd was the life and soul of the party. Back home in Staffordshire he had a small group of very close friends and when he was home they all lived hand in hand.
“Every one of us have been swapping stories about him today and we all want to say we miss and love you and you will forever be in our hearts. Gone but never forgotten.
“He loved all outdoor activities and played a big role in scout activities. He also loved the environment and helped causes to save pieces of landscape.”
Bangor University said in a statement: “Staff and students are saddened to hear of the death of Tom Lloyd.
“Tom was a very well-liked student who was entering the third year of a degree in environmental management.
“He will be sadly missed by all his friends at Bangor, and our thoughts are with them and his family.”
After a massive search Mr Lloyd’s body was discovered by emergency services near Pont Aberglaslyn late on Tuesday evening.
It was recovered on Wednesday morning and taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, where a post-mortem examination took place.
In a statement North Wales Police said: “The family are being supported by a family liaison officer and our thoughts are with Mr Lloyd’s family at this time.”
Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team were involved in the search and subsequent recovery of the body.
Team secretary Gethin Edwards said: “This was a particularly complex operation which required a high level of skill and expertise from those agencies present under the most tragic of circumstances.”