Topsham diver dies in Bankok

A THIRTY-five-year-old diver from Topsham who was praised by friends as being a funny and friendly character, has died. Adrian Clamp, who had spent most of the last five years travelling in South East Asia, died of pneumonia and septicaemia in a Bankok ho

A THIRTY-five-year-old diver from Topsham who was praised by friends as being a funny and friendly character, has died.

Adrian Clamp, who had spent most of the last five years travelling in South East Asia, died of pneumonia and septicaemia in a Bankok hospital, though the circumstances surrounding his death are not yet clear.

Known by those close to him as 'clampy', he had embarked on a course to teach other diving instructors earlier this summer.

His father, Lesley Clamp, who lives with wife Wendy, in Monmouth Avenue, Topsham, said: "He was our only child and, naturally, we are completely devastated."

Adrian's funeral was held at Exeter Crematorium last Friday, October 30.

Scores of tributes have poured in from his friends, shocked by his death, on the social networking site Facebook.

His close friend Matt Reynolds said: "To me, there was no one wittier, funnier or warmer.

"He was fearless and larger than life."

"When Clampy was on form, it was like bathing in sunshine and he made all his friends feel special.

"There aren't many people who have the ability to do that. But he did. And I'll always love him for it.

"He seemed to have found his calling as a diver and worked incredibly hard at his job."

John Tripe, who said Adrian was a hero of his, added: "His passion for all he adored lit up in his face and he was one of the most colorful people I ever met."

Also commenting on Facebook, Steve Drake said: "Adrian was one of the closest people I have had in my life and one of the most important.