WARM tributes have been paid to a young man who died in a harbour tragedy.
Friends have described Paul Monk as a ‘legend’.
As reported in The News yesterday, Hampshire police confirmed a body was discovered shortly before midday on Thursday in Langstone Harbour.
Officers spotted the body at mudbanks close to the old railway line from Langstone to Hayling.
He has been named locally as Paul Monk and dozens of tributes have been posted on Facebook.
Friends said he was 21 years old and lived in Southse.
A statement from his former school, Oaklands Catholic School in Waterlooville, has been released.
It read: ‘Oaklands School Community were very saddened by the news received this morning of the death of former student Paul Monk.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.’
Friends described Paul as a larger-than-life character who was much-loved.
Friend Liam Howes is a radio presenter for Portsmouth’s Express FM.
He said: ‘Anyone from Oaklands school will tell you, Paul is a legend.
‘He always had a smile on his face, he was such a popular guy.
‘He will be sorely missed, I can promise you that.’
Sam Ives wrote on Facebook: ‘Mind is officially blown.
‘I can’t believe it.
‘Such a nice guy with an A star personality.
‘Gone but never forgotten mate.’
Zenon Raddon said: ‘Didn’t deserve to go this early or this way... still only ever one Paul Monk
‘Funny lad.’
It is not known yet what happened in the tragedy.
Police have confirmed the incident is not being treated as suspicious.
A post-mortem will be carried out to determine the cause of death.
Earlier on Thursday police and the Coastguard had been searching the area for Mr Monk.
Officers from police and the Coastguard visited local businesses asking if anyone had seen him. His body was found shortly before midday.
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