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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
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Ryan Fahey

Family of Brit who drowned in Jamaica trying to save lives want his bravery awarded

A British man who drowned trying to save his family while on holiday in Jamaica should be awarded for his bravery, according to his heartbroken mum.

Remo Douglas, 34, sacrificed himself in a desperate attempt to save his girlfriend, his baby, and his partner's 11-year-old niece Brehania Syndale who ran into trouble in a flooded river following heavy rain on December 16.

Despite his best efforts, Brehania also tragically drowned in the water.

His mother Euthlyn Douglas said: "When I get to the funeral, I don't want to look at him in the casket as that will be with me for the rest of my life."

Mr Douglas' dad Norris added: "Nobody had a bad word to say about him."

The 34-year-old, from Easton in Bristol, is to be buried beside his relatives in his family plot in Jamaica. His mum and dad expect a big funeral with people coming from all over the world.

Mr Douglas grew up in Bristol (Conate Douglas)
He is being buried beside relatives in his family plot in Jamaica (Conate Douglas)

"We won't turn anybody away," Mrs Douglas said.

Speaking in more detail about her grief, the heartbroken mum says she "can't sleep at night" when alone.

"I hardly eat because I don't feel hungry," she said.

"Every time I go on my WhatsApp so many people have him on their profile pictures so I can't escape seeing him.

"The worst is yet to come, I know I will break down at the funeral."

Mr Douglas's friend Lauroy Allen has set up a GoFundMe with a target of £6,000 to help with funeral costs, which has already raised £4,600. Any additional funds will be donated to Mr Douglas's wife and child.

Black River on the south coast of Jamaica (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

There will be a memorial held back in his native Bristol at a later date, according to Bristol Live, which broke the news of the tragedy last week.

Mr Allen said the page has been inundated with donations - some for hundreds of pounds from people who knew him growing up.

On the page, Mr Allen spoke of how Remo "cared for others to the very end".

It reads: “All of us, as his friends and family, want him to have the best send off that he deserves as a man who cared about others to the very end.

"There will be more information on the event to celebrate Remo and this will follow shortly in the coming days/weeks. Remo Douglas was a beautiful soul taken far too soon."

Janice Gordon, a woman who donated on the page, wrote: "Remo was a big part of my early teen years, always making me laugh and just being him.

"Hearing this news stopped me in my tracks, and instantly brought back all of the memories and there are a lot.

"Rest in perfect peace old friend, you will not be forgotten."

Schoolfriend Jason Clarkson, said: “Back at school Remo kept us all laughing and smiling. Never had a bad word against anyone and was such a kind hearted soul into adulthood.

"He gave his life trying to save someone else and that just epitomises the type of man he was. Put others first to the very end."

His mum said she wanted her beloved boy to be remembered for sacrificing himself for others.

"Everybody misses him," she said.

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