Thames hero who drowned trying to save girl, 12, had rescued his brother years ago

The devastated brother of a good Samaritan who drowned trying to save a 12-year-old girl from the Thames today paid tribute to the most “generous person” he ever knew.

Nathan Lane, 28, jumped into the water after spotting the young girl in distress off a pier in Gravesend, Kent, on Sunday afternoon during the hottest weekend of the year.

Onlookers later saw the pair struggling and a group of four teenagers jumped into the water to try to save them.

Mr Lane’s brother Warren, 26, from Bournemouth, said: “He was the most generous person I have ever met. If you ever needed a favour he was always there no matter what the circumstance.

“He was very overprotective of his family especially me and my little sister Analee growing up. He actually saved me from drowning when I was 10 years old.

“I was just one breath away from dying but he pulled me to safety. I think that experience might have given him the confidence to try to save this girl.”

The incident took place in a swimming pool at a holiday park in Broadstairs, Kent. He added: “I wasn’t a strong swimmer but I went into the deep end and he saved me when I thought I was dead. There were no lifeguards.”

Mr Lane, who was unemployed and lived in Gravesend, had been soaking up the sun with his girlfriend Joyce when the incident happened.

Kieran Wellard, 16, from Swanscombe, who jumped in with his friend Lewis Rossiter, 18, said: “When I got to her the current was really strong. She was desperate for breath so she was pushing me under the water. It was really heard. My friend Lewis got to us and pulled us both to the pier.”

Today dozens of tributes were attached to the railings by the pier. One, from Nathan’s half-sister Toni Berry, read: “It is such a shock that you are gone and what a way to do it.

“He died being a hero, saving that girl’s life. You’ll always be an amazing uncle and a special brother. You’ll always be our hero.”

A huge rescue operation was launched involving the Gravesend RNLI, Kent Police Marine Unit, Coastguard and Essex’s Police Helicopter and was suspended yesterday afternoon when the tide began to rise again. The search for his body was expected to resume today.