Brother's grief for drowning victim

A DISTRAUGHT brother of a 22-year-old man who tragically drowned at Alton Water when the dinghy he was in capsized today paid tribute to an “honest, heroic and caring person”.

Nick Lloyd, together with best friend Lee Page, 18, died in the early hours of Monday morning after taking a Taz boat out on to the water at the picturesque Suffolk beauty spot.

The duo, along with two other friends, had been enjoying a barbecue and drinks before tragedy struck.

Today, as more and more floral tributes mounted up on the shoreline at Alton Water, Nick's older brother Simon Lloyd spoke of his “kind” sibling and revealed the torment the family have suffered at their tragic loss.

“He was such a lovely person, and very honest - too honest sometimes,” said Simon, 26. “If he had something to say, he would say it.

“But he always had a smile on his face - he was like a Cheshire cat.

“Recently, we had become very close. We had a few problems over the years but we were so close at the end. I know he thought of me very, very highly and I thought the same of him. Even when we were arguing, we would always think of each other like that.

“He would not harm a fly in the world. All he thought about was everyone else. He didn't deserve to die at 22.”

Nick started work as a chef nearly six months ago at the Red Lion in Martlesham, where he also lived, and was studying for a catering NVQ.

Simon said the job had represented something of a turning point in Nick's life and had brought an opportunity for him to focus on something positive.

“It's the best thing he ever did,” said Simon. “He had a tough previous life, moving here, there and everywhere. He found life hard because he was constantly moving around.

“But he had finally found a job which really suited him and it put him on the right track.

“The previous owners of the Red Lion did a lot for him. They helped him focus on what he wanted to do.”

Nick had also planned to get back together with his ex-girlfriend and the pair had talked about settling down.

Simon said: “He and his ex-girlfriend had patched things up and they were planning to get together again when she got back from holiday in the Lake District. When she heard what had happened she rushed straight back.”

Nick's younger sister, Ashley Lloyd, 19, has also jetted back to Suffolk after cutting short a trip to Kenya where she was undertaking charity work.

Simon also spoke of his younger brother's friendship with fellow victim Lee Page.

He said: “Lee was his best mate, they were joined at the hip. They met at the red Lion where Lee worked too and became the best of friends. They just clicked.

“Lee had just left his job at the pub and moved into Ipswich and Nick told me he was really going to miss him.”

Nick, who grew up in Framlingham and went to Thomas Mills High School, was a fan of cars and also loved music, Linkin Park in particular.

Mr Lloyd's mother, Shireen, said her son was “full of fun” and would have helped anybody.

She said: “He made my laugh and he made me cry, but I would have given anything to keep him here with me and his family.

“He was so full of fun with such a good sense of humour. He would help anybody and had so much love to give to people.

“I loved him so much and he will be so sadly missed also by his brother, Simon, his sister, Ashley, Richard, and his grandad, along with his friends. Our thoughts are also with Lee's family at this time.”