A floral wreath gently made its way across the water of the River Thames on Saturday in memory of the heroic actions of Nathan Lane.

The 28-year-old, of Empress Road, Gravesend, dived into the water on Sunday, July 14, when a young girl – believed to be a 12-year-old called Maria – got into trouble in the water and tried to save her.

Family members, including half-sister Toni Berry, brother Warren, and uncle and aunt Kenny and Karen Coe, released blue balloons from where he disappeared at the Newbridge Causeway, near Commercial Place, Gravesend.

A wreath, carried by nieces and nephews Rhyley, 10, Kayleigh, 14, Ryder, seven, and Bret, 16, was taken along the causeway and floated out along the river.

There were few dry eyes as it bobbed in the water and a song by one of Mr Lane’s favourite bands, Bon Jovi, could be heard coming from the Party on the Prom.

They were joined by friends who leapt in to try to save Mr Lane as well as grabbing the girl – St John’s school pupils Jake Cornish, 16, and Weronika Medlewska, 15, along with Lewis Rossiter, 18, and Carl Payne, 29.

Mr Lane’s younger brother Warren, 26, from Bournemouth told the Gravesend Messenger: “Nathan was a football fanatic, he lived and breathed it, especially Villa and Spurs.

“He was the nicest guy I’ve ever known. He had a heart of gold. I’ll remember him as being the nicest bloke I’ll ever know.

"He was a family man and he always looked out and protected me. I’ll never forget him.”

The pair, along with sister Annalee, are originally from Dartford and both attended Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School before moving on to St Columba’s Catholic Boys’ School in Bexleyheath.

Last Wednesday police and the RNLI pulled a body from the river, though officers this week continue to work on identifying who it is.

Police said officers were sent to the river at just before 4.30pm.

An RNLI spokesman said: “The lifeboat was tasked to reports of a sighting of a person in the water mid channel between Tilbury ferry terminal on the north shore and
West Street Pier on the south shore.

“The body was recovered and handed over to Kent Police.”

The balloons, which carried messages as they floated away, were donated by the Card Factory in New Road and Wilkinson in the Thamesgate Centre.

A cheer and applause rang out as the balloons floated away.

The wreath, which contained chrysanthemums, roses, gypsophila and phlox, was designed and donated by Nikki Charlton from Slinders florist in High Street, Gravesend.

A bucket collection, to raise money for a memorial and a donation to the RNLI, raised more than £170 in just a couple of hours.

There are also plans for an event for the whole community, including a raffle with prizes donated by business in the high street.

For more information about fundraising, visit the website here.

Just yards from where the operation to recover the body was taking place last week, several teenagers were playing near the water’s edge on another jetty.

A woman who had been placing flowers where tributes have been left for Mr Lane remonstrated with the group, warning them of the dangers.

On Monday, the RNLI, ambulance and police were called to another person stuck in the mud at the same spot, just off Commercial Place.

They were pulled free and cared for by ambulance staff.

The family of Mr Lane are keen for people to heed warnings not to swim in the river.

The number of drownings across the country so far this month has now reached 20, according to the Royal Life Saving Society UK.

There are about 260 accidental drowning deaths in inland waters in Britain each year - about 60% of the total number of accidental water deaths.

Family friend Angela Marshall said: “I don’t think people realise how dangerous the water can be and by us all coming together, I hope we can highlight the dangers of the river so this never happens again.”

Police are also urging people not to go into the water.

Insp Henry Sandhu said: “Whatever your level of swimming, we’d always say do not enter the water in any circumstances, however tempting.”

A Port of London Authority spokesman said: “There are already safety signs at the causeway that was the location of this tragedy.

"Signs are therefore not the complete answer – especially since the tidal Thames extends along some 200 miles of foreshore – all with many points of possible entry into the water.

"We are always very willing to work with the local councils and other safety agencies to improve signage.

"However the key is to educate and inform – especially young people – that the tidal Thames is not safe for swimming or indeed paddling.

"The only place for these activities are a swimming pool or designated bathing beach.

"We will therefore continue to promote our ‘Riverside Code’ work – where local schools attend organised life skills training - and we visit clubs and community events with a purpose built trailer to highlight the hazards of the Thames.

"We will also continue to work with the other key safety agencies to publicise the dangers.

"The Port of London Authority once again extends our sympathies to Nathan’s family and friends."