Man, 26, drowned after leaping into river to escape gang of thugs who…

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Man, 26, drowned after leaping into river to escape gang of thugs who attacked him outside McDonald’s on night out.

Cameron Whelan (pictured), 26, has been named as the man who drowned in the River Avon in Stratford-upon-Avon on Friday 
Cameron Whelan (pictured), 26, has been named as the man who drowned in the River Avon in Stratford-upon-Avon on Friday 

These are the first pictures of a 26-year-old man who drowned after jumping into a river to escape a gang chasing him.

Cameron Whelan was enjoying a night out in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire when he was set upon just yards from William Shakespeare’s former home.

Mr Whelan, from Birmingham, was then chased by a group of people from outside the town’s McDonald’s before leaping into the River Avon in a desperate bid to escape his attackers.

A major police search was launched as a result of the incident last Friday but his body was recovered downstream on Tuesday evening.

In a statement, his family said: ‘Cameron will be highly missed, he was loved by everyone who knew him.’

Detective Inspector Tim Sharp, of Warwickshire Police, said: ‘We are still keen to speak to anyone who saw a man enter the water on Friday night.’

Residents in the town expressed shock at the death. Local campaigner David Turner, 40, said: ‘It’s definitely got worse in the town in recent years for violence.

Mr Whelan was enjoying a night out in the town when he was set upon by a gang of men. They chased him from outside a McDonald's restaurant to the River Avon (pictured) where he jumped in
Mr Whelan was enjoying a night out in the town when he was set upon by a gang of men. They chased him from outside a McDonald’s restaurant to the River Avon (pictured) where he jumped in.

There are gangs of louts who think tourists and visitors are fair game and pick fights or try and mug them.

‘What is believed about this poor chap is that he was attacked for no reason and tried to outrun the thugs and just launched himself into the river out of sheer desperation.

‘Because of the rain, the river was particularly powerful so one can only assume he was dragged under.

‘The police do their best but with cut backs and fewer officers on the streets what can you do? If the evil people ever get caught they should be charged with murder.’

A West Mercia Police spokesman told MailOnline no arrests have been made in connection with Mr Whelan’s death.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is currently leading the investigation.

A major police search was launched as a result of the incident last Friday but his body was recovered downstream in the River Avon (pictured) on Tuesday evening
A major police search was launched as a result of the incident last Friday but his body was recovered downstream in the River Avon (pictured) on Tuesday evening
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