THE desperate efforts to save a barman’s life after he jumped from a balcony into the River Ouse were revealed at an inquest in York.

The man, named yesterday as Richard Horrocks, 21, worked at Revolution off Coney Street, but was due to start a new job shortly, said York Coroner Donald Coverdale.

He said Mr Horrocks, of Stanley Street, off Haxby Road, York, who was a fit man, finished his shift in the early hours of Sunday and stayed behind with colleagues for a drink and consumed a quantity of alcohol.

“They left the premises at about 6.30am and walked along a balcony beside the river, heading towards Coney Street,” he said.

“There was some mention of jumping in the river, but it wasn’t considered likely.

“Then Mr Horrocks was seen to run to the balcony and leap over it and jump into the river, fully clothed. He began swimming across the river, but began to struggle.”

The coroner said a friend jumped into the river to try to help him, but to no avail, and a bystander also used a small rowing boat to try to get to him, but without success.

He said Mr Horrocks’ body was recovered from the river at 4.40pm on Sunday.

He said the provisional cause of death was drowning and adjourned the inquest to a later date.

Mr Horrocks, who is believed to have attended Hartlepool Sixth Form College and to have lived previously in the Northallerton area, posted a comment on Facebook at Saturday lunchtime, saying: “Just one shift left at Revolution,” and now friends have posted dozens of moving tributes on Facebook to him.

“Death can be so cruel, it takes those of us who don’t deserve it, especially when we least expect it!” wrote Tom Abram. “You’ll carry on living in the hearts you left behind mate, what a character! RIP Rich x.”

Claire Beatson posted: “There aren’t words to explain the epic loss experienced yesterday, my heart goes out to all the other people whose lives were touched by the man, the myth, the legend.”

Amy Dee wrote: “Tosh, you are irreplaceable. Nobody else will ever be able to make us laugh the way you did, thank you for the happy memories neighbour,” while Fraser Monaghan posted: “York has truly lost one of its best.”

Friends suggested the funeral would take place in Northallerton, but said that for those who were not coming, there were plans to hire out a bar in York for one night for “a celebration of Richard, with drinks flowing as he would want it”.

A spokesman for Vodka Rovolution said it would not be appropriate to comment.