AT LEAST 400 people have attended the funeral of a 29-year-old man who drowned in York’s River Ouse last month.

Mourners heard passionate eulogies to Steven O’Neill at the service, held at St Peter’s Church in Noctorum, Birkenhead, The Wirral, on Wednesday.

Steven, who drowned during a night out in York city centre, was one of five people who died in York’s rivers during a devastating three week period in April.

His mother Sharon said the service, intended as a celebration of Stephen’s life, ‘went beautifully,’ although it had been a ‘very sad day’ for her, his partner Beth and their families.

She said Steven’s brother Philip, who is a Staff Sergeant based in York and was out with Steven on the night he died, attended the service in full uniform and gave a speech telling of the despair that he and the family were suffering.

Tributes were also paid by the parents of Steven’s partner Beth, Henry and Mary.

She said Henry, an author, had said Steven was like a son to him, who had ‘given him eyes to see.’

She said he spoke of Stephen as a vibrant, enthusiastic person who always gave 100 per cent to whatever he was doing.

Sharon said she herself had read out a tribute to Steven written to her by Mary.

It said: “Thank you so very much for sharing your beautiful son, Ste, with us. He became part of our family and we loved him dearly.

“He brought joy to everyone he met and lit up a room with his presence.

“He always talked about you and your family and loved you all so very much.

“Thinking of you Sharon at this most difficult and sad time. Your loss is so much bigger than ours Sharon, but as you know Ste had become part of our family and like an extra son.

“He entered into everything he did with such positivity and enthusiasm and was so open to new experiences. He never had a bad word to say and set us such a good example.

“We mourn his loss with you so much.”

Sharon said 30 of Steven’s friends and family members had worn a special hoodie sweatshirt at the wake after the funeral, carrying a logo which said: “Sleep tight Ste....12/09/1990 - forever.”

She said a bench dedicated to Steven would be installed next to his grave at Frankby Cemetery in the Wirral.

Sharon has previously thrown her support behind a £45,000 appeal to buy a new craft for York Rescue Boat, launched by the parents of one of last month’s other drowning victims, Sonny Ferry, and behind calls for a review of safety along York’s riverside.