Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid and many viewers at home were left heartbroken by the loved ones of Folajimi 'Jimi' Olubunmi-Adewole, who lost his life, aged just 20, after diving into the River Thames to save a woman.
Londoner Jimi was on his way home from working in a restaurant in the capital alongside friend Bernard when they were alerted by a bystander to a woman screaming for help in the water below them.
He and another man entered the water at around midnight on Saturday morning in a bid to save her, but while the other man and the woman who fell into the water were both rescued by the Coastguard and the Metropolitan Police's marine unit, Jimi's body was found by police shortly before 6am.
Jimi's death and his heroic deed have prompted an outpouring of grief and immense admiration for his selfless actions and a fundraiser set up in his honour, from 'Jimi The Hero', had raised over £25k by Monday.
Jimi's parents appeared from their home to speak to GMB hosts Adil and Susanna on Tuesday, as Bernard sat alongside them in the studio.
As Jimi's dad Michael paid tribute, Susanna responded: "What you're saying is that Jimi was motivated to try and help other people and that's what happened on Friday night."
Susanna then became overcome with emotion and could be seen wiping away tears as she added: "My heart is absolutely broken for you as parents," as Adil said: "it's tough, it's tough"
Bernard told Adil and Susanna that he and Jimi were walking home as they would normally do, just after 11.45am, when a man ran up to them and showed them a video of "a woman jumping over the bridge."
He added: "Where we're from in South London, we also want to make sure people are OK. We don't want to take a video, we want to make sure they're OK."
Bernard explained that they rang 999 to tell emergency services there was a woman struggling, as they heard her screaming: "I'm dying, I'm dying. I can't swim, I'm dying."
The two men then ran down to the side of the river and Bernard said: "Jimi was adamant. He didn't think twice, he didn't care about what was going to happen," adding: "he said Bern. I'm going to save her."
Bernard told Adil and Susanna that another man came and asked "can you swim?" before the man and Jimi jumped into the water.
Bernard then revealed the heartbreaking details of what happened next, when he explained: "I just hear Jimi shouting my name 'Bern, Bern,' but the shout wasn't normal it was pain."
Listening intently, Susanna told him: "It's so, so difficult. Difficult for you and Jimi's mum and dad..." before mentioning a campaign to get Jimi a posthumous St George's Cross, an award that recognises someone who's put themselves in danger to save or try to save someone's life.
She added: "Jimi was a hero. He should be honoured in that way."
Viewers were incredibly moved by what they were watching, with one tweeting: "Watching @GMB & my heart is breaking for Jimi and his family," and another reacted: "R.I.P Jimi Died a true Hero. My love & thoughts are with his family."
