River victim 'touched so many hearts'

GRIEVING relatives of a 30-year-old woman killed in a river accident have issued a heartfelt tribute to her, saying she had “touched many different people's hearts in so many ways”.

Amie-Rae Drennan was swept to her death from an overturned boat at a popular spot on the River Waveney, at Wainford, near Bungay, on Saturday evening.

In a statement, her family described her as a “loving, thoughtful and loyal family member and friend who crammed more into her 30 years than most people could do in a full lifetime”.

Ms Drennan, who had been on a ten-foot dinghy with family and friends, including her partner Kris and eight-year-old son Tor, was also described as “intelligent, witty and multi-talented” and someone who “always saw the good in people”.

As a youngster she had been a gifted dancer at the June Glennie School of dance in Lowestoft and her singing talent had won her starring roles as one of the Von Trapp children in two productions of The Sound of Music in Lowestoft and Yarmouth.

When she was not travelling Europe and Africa teaching English grammar to foreign students, she played the penny whistle in the local Irish folk music band Murphy's Lore. She was also an accomplished pianist and self-taught flautist.

Police are continuing their investigation into how the outboard-driven dinghy capsized in front of a weir. One theory is that it struck the weir when the engine cut out.

The other four people on board were able to reach safety, some helped by local teenagers who had been sunbathing on the bank, but Ms Drennan was swept away. Her body was found by police divers at about 10.30am on Sunday.

A police spokesman said: “We would urge all people using rivers, lakes or the sea to take extreme care. Although the weather is currently sunny and pleasant the water can hold hidden dangers such as currents and underwater hazards. Water can also be perilously cold even in the summer. You should always wear a life jacket and keep children supervised at all times.”