Tragedy of student found in river

Alex will be remembered as a caring, fun-loving person who often liked to be at the centre of things, but would then go off to help others without seeking the limelight Rob Hill, father of Alex, pictured

The family of an "adored" 21-year-old student have described their shock after he was found drowned in a river.

The death of Alex Hill, of Stroud, Gloucestershire, whose body was discovered in Newport, south Wales, is not being treated as suspicious.

He was born with a cleft palate, had undergone several operations and was due to have the final one next month.

The body of the University of Wales, Newport, student was found in the river Usk, nine days after he was last seen.

"We adored him," said his father Rob Hill.

"Alex was a loving son and a good companion to his brother Joss," said Mr Hill, who was until recently head of English at Thomas Keble Comprehensive in Stroud, and now a teaching and learning consultant in Swindon.

"He was well-loved by his many friends who share in our family's grief.

"As a family we are deeply shocked by Alex's sudden death."

Gwent Police said the emergency services were called to the Town Bridge in Newport on 7 September at about 0200 BST, after reports of a man climbing over railings and jumping into the water.

"Despite an extensive search, including the use of search and rescue teams, we were unable to locate the man," said a police spokesperson.

However, police said a body believed to be that of Alex Hill was recovered from the river on Tuesday afternoon near Wyndham Street in the city.

'Fun-loving'

He was about to start his third year at university in Newport, where he was studying multimedia.

His father said his son was a courageous young man who, throughout his life, had undergone a number of operations at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol to repair his cleft palate.

"The final operation was due to take place this October," said Mr Hill, a teaching and learning consultant in Swindon.

"Alex will be remembered as a caring, fun-loving person who often liked to be at the centre of things, but would then go off to help others without seeking the limelight," he added.

"He was enthusiastic about his work and had been working on his final year project over the summer," said Mr Hill.

"He also had a passion for DJ-ing and had been booked to appear at clubs this autumn."

Police said the body of Mr Hill had still yet to be formally identified, and the coroner has been informed.