River Tyne Kayaking Tragedy: Two Brothers and Cousin Named

Friends have paid tribute to three men from the same family who drowned on a kayaking trip.

Brothers Darren and Mark Thorpe and their cousin Gavin Bradley were last seen at a spot called Devil's Water near Corbridge, Northumberland.

Their bodies were found at Riding Mill following a search involving the coastguard, police and a RAF helicopter.

They were said to have been paddling in "siton" kayaks used by amateurs rather than serious kayakers and reportedly got into difficulty at a weir.

The river conditions were deemed so treacherous a local canoe club cancelled an excursion.

Paying tribute to Bradley on Facebook, Paul Somerville, a relative, said: "I could not believe the news. So sorry for you's all. Gav was one of the best x."