Walsall yachtsman death: Heartbreaking tribute paid to paramedic who died off coast days after accepting new job in Devon
"Tom was the father of two children who will always remember him as a dad who encouraged them to be adventurous and to work hard to make a success of their lives."
Heartfelt tributes have been paid by the grief-stricken family of a Black Country paramedic whose body was found off the Devon coast - more than a week after he went missing.
Keen yachtsman Thomas Hodgson, aged 42, from Walsall, was last seen alive in a small dingy heading towards his yacht in Brixham on September 9.
A search was carried out following disappearance. And a fisherman alerted police to a body in the water off nearby Breakwater Beach on Saturday morning.
Police yesterday confirmed it was the body of Mr Hodgson, who was a paramedic for West Midlands Ambulance Service, based in Willenhall.
Mr Hodgson's family today released a statement, thanking emergency services for their rescue efforts and paying tribute to the father-of-two.
They revealed how the paramedic, who worked for West Midlands Ambulance Service, had accepted a job as a paramedic in Devon and had planned to move to the area.
The family said: "He was a passionate man who lived his life enjoying outdoor pursuits yet chose a profession where he was recognised in his ability to help and comfort others in their time of need.
"Tom will be greatly missed by us all and we would appreciate time to come to terms with what has happened and to grieve for our loss."
The statement continued: "We would like to sincerely thank the combined services of Devon and Cornwall; the coast guard the RNLI, police force, the search and rescue helicopter teams, and private individuals for their unceasing efforts in searching for Tom.
"We also thank the West Midlands Ambulance Service for their immediate support for our family.
"Tom had just been accepted as a paramedic in Devon and he was looking forward to moving closer to the coast where he planned to continue his interests in diving and sailing."
On social media, ambulance service colleagues paid tribute to him. The service tweeted: "Our thoughts & condolences go out to the family & friends of our fallen paramedic. Rest in peace Tom. #999family".
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman described what happened when the force was called by the fisherman.
He said: "As this was in the area the last sighting had taken place there was concern that it was Mr Thomas Hodgson.
"Detectives were called to the scene after the RNLI had lifted the male from the water.
"Enquiries took place throughout the day in order to establish the males identity. Unfortunately it is now believed the male is in fact Mr Thomas Hodgson."
