Statement issued by family of man who went into River Thames

The family of a man who went into the River Thames on Saturday (Jan 18) have released a statement.

Emergency services have been searching for Gary Peter Sturgess, aged 60, from St Neots in Cambridge, since Saturday at 10.42pm. He has not yet been found.

Officers were called to the Dockett Eddy Lane area of Shepperton follow a report that he’d gone into the water from a moored boat.

His family said: “Gary was a conscientious and magnanimous man who people couldn’t help but feel inspired by.

“He was an avid animal lover who would continue to fight for animal rights as well as being a dedicated vegan.

“Gary was living his dream, being on the river being close to nature and everything that he loved. He was on his journey from Surrey to get his beloved boat back to St Neots on Saturday.

“Gary was a father to four children and two grandchildren who will miss him deeply.”

His daughter said: “Our dad, a granddad, a person’s forever partner, a beloved was a wacky wild kind hearted member of our family.”

The family would like to thank all of the members of Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, Surrey Search and Rescue and Surrey Police for their efforts so far. Also the staff at the Thames Court Pub for their help during this time helping supply the search time with needed food and drink.

 The family at this time would like to have their privacy respected.