The family of a rowing coach whose body was pulled from the Thames five weeks after he vanished in a tragic training accident today paid tribute to a devoted father and inspirational teacher.
Michael Hill, 48, went missing on the Thames near Putney Embankment on February 2 after taking a group of women rowers for evening practice session.
His small motorised “tin fish” coaching boat was found capsized along with a rucksack floating in the freezing waters. His body was found a few hundred yards away near Putney Pier on Sunday night after five weeks of searches by coastguards and police.
Mr Hill, originally from Leeds, moved to London in 2012 to become a coach at £16,000-a-year Latymer Upper School, in Fulham.
His estranged wife Peridot Hill, 48, who still lives in Leeds with their three children, said: “He was a great man and he was loved. He loved his children and was more passionate about them than anything else.”
His son Christian studies English at Oxford University where he is also an enthusiastic rower.
His partner Sara Rawcliffe, a mother from Barnet, said: “Michael was passionate about his rowing, about being a rowing coach, and about working with and inspiring young people.
“He was a member of the London Rowing Club and had coached there regularly over the last two to three years, and also more recently at Thames Rowing Club and for Imperial College Medics. He was a wonderful man and we are all devastated.”
Since his disappearance, pupils have written to Ms Rawcliffe about how Mr Hill’s coaching helped them “fall in love” with rowing.
One pupil, 15, wrote: “He helped me fall in love with a truly incredible sport which has helped me become a better and stronger person.
“Because of him, I now truly understand about yearning to be the best you possibly can be, and to live and give your most whilst you have the chance.
“I will forever remember the fun we all had together, his endless patience, flowing kindness and fabulous sense of humour.”
The parent of another pupil said: “His sense of fun, enthusiasm and genuine concern for the pupils he coached was unsurpassed and completely infectious. They love what they do because of the start Michael gave them.”
Latymer head teacher Dave Goodhew said: “Although we were anticipating such news, it is still a shock and our thoughts are with Michael’s family and the rowing community, both at Latymer Upper School and beyond.”
As well as being a member of the London Rowing Club, he was also a coach at the nearby Thames Rowing Club, both in Putney Embankment.
The historic rivals met last month in the annual Boustead Cup where two women’s crews performed a row-over in Mr Hill’s honour and held two minutes applause at the clubhouse afterwards.
The Port of London Authority said an investigation into Mr Hill’s disappearance was ongoing and it is “too early” to tell what happened the night he capsized.
A spokesman said: “The authority began an investigation into the causes of Mr Hill’s accident within 48 hours of his boat being found. That is continuing.
“All aspects of what happened to him and the causes are still being worked on. It would be inappropriate to comment further.”
