The body of Kevin Downes, a 36-year-old father-of-six, was pulled from the water at River Roch in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, last Wednesday (Picture: MEN)

Family and friends have paid tribute to a man whose body was found in a river last week. 

Police, paramedics and fire crews attended the scene at River Roch in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, as Kevin Downes, 36, was pulled from the water on Wednesday. 

Emergency services had closed off St Mary’s Gate in the town centre after reports emerged of a body at around 6.30am. 

Tributes have poured in for the roofer father-of-six, who lived in Bacup, Lancashire.

Sarah, mother to four of his children, said: ‘He was extremely funny and had a brilliant sense of humour.

‘He will be dearly missed by so many. He leaves behind his family and six children, who are all going to miss him.’

Claire Thomas, a friend of Mr Downes, said: ‘I didn’t know Kevin for that long really, but for the time I did know him he had a bigger impact on my life than any friend I’ve had.

The mother of four of Mr Downes’ children has described him as ‘extremely funny’ (Picture: MEN Media)

‘I reached out to him when I’d hit rock bottom and was desperate for change. No questions asked, he was there for me [sic] phone call or text any time of the day or night.

‘I couldn’t imagine one day sober at the time and now I’m extremely proud to say I haven’t had a drink in over three years. All this was down to Kevin’s support and encouragement.’

She added: ‘Kev may no longer be with us but he’s left me with the knowledge to live the life I’ve always wanted and be happy.’

A file in Mr Downes’ name has been prepared for the coroner, according to Rochdale Coroner’s Office. 

Emergency services on St Mary’s Gate after reports first emerged of a body in the water (Picture: MEN)

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News of his death follows just six days after an inquest ruled Nicola Bulley, a mother-of-two, had died of ‘cold water shock’ after falling into the River Wyre in Lancashire. 

Ms Bulley’s disappearance and the frantic subsequent search captured headlines earlier this year and lead to much speculation on social media, as well as criticism of the operational response from police.

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The body of Kevin Downes, 36, was discovered last week in River Roch in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.