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Family and friends pay tribute to Maidstone triathlete | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Tributes have been paid to a triathlete whose body was found after he went missing during a race near Maidstone. | |
Paul Gallihawk, 34, was reported missing when he failed to finish the first part of the triathlon race at Leybourne Lakes on Saturday. | |
His body was found earlier and his family informed. His body has not been formally identified, Kent Police said. | |
His girlfriend Hayley said: "He was the most amazing and thoughtful partner. I loved him to bits and always will." | |
She said of her boyfriend of five years: "He was incredible in every way and he always put others before himself." | |
Mr Gallihawk's mother Linda, father Malcolm and brother Nick said: "He had such a caring nature and will be sadly missed by all the family, extended family and friends. | |
"Paul was a brilliant son and brother to Nick - he would do anything to help anyone and would always put them first." | |
'Always had a smile' | |
His friends issued a statement: "Many of us have known Paul since we went to school together and we are all completely heartbroken. | |
"He was a genuine and honest man - he was the funniest person in the world." | |
The triathlon event was organised by Ocean Lake Triathlon, who said: "We are shocked by what happened." | |
The triathlon club, based at Leybourne Lake Country Park and Simon Langton School in Canterbury, organises a series of six sprint distance races. | |
Mr Gallihawk had been missing since a 750m swim at the start of the triathlon. | Mr Gallihawk had been missing since a 750m swim at the start of the triathlon. |
His disappearance triggered a search involving the Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Kent Search and Rescue Team and the National Police Air Service. | His disappearance triggered a search involving the Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Kent Search and Rescue Team and the National Police Air Service. |
Mr Gallihawk had written on his JustGiving page that he was competing to raise money for King's College Hospital in London, which had looked after his father. Since his disappearance was announced, donations on the page have risen to over £5,000. | |
One donor wrote on the site: "Paul, you always had a smile and a laugh about everything, and a great teammate playing for Lenham. An absolute gent and our thoughts are with your loved ones." | One donor wrote on the site: "Paul, you always had a smile and a laugh about everything, and a great teammate playing for Lenham. An absolute gent and our thoughts are with your loved ones." |