FAMILY and friends have paid tribute to a “really lovely” father and son who died when their boat overturned at a weir on the River Avon.
The dad, named locally as Julian Mynott, 42, was enjoying an afternoon with his three-year-old son Freddie and two other children when tragedy struck.
It is thought their small motorised boat went over a three-metre high weir and capsized in the river close to the family home in Barford, near Warwick.
Both father and son were pronounced dead at the scene after Freddie was pulled from the water at about 8.30pm on Saturday and Mr Mynott was found shortly after 10pm.
The two other children were being treated in hospital and one was said to be in a serious but stable condition.
Neighbours and friends spoke warmly of Mr Mynott and his wife Emma, 41, who was not on board the boat.
They said they were thinking of them and their two other children, Florence and Archie.
Mr Mynott’s sister Stephanie Skudder described him as the “best father, husband, son and brother”.
Polly Bonner-Evans, who lives close to the family, said she was struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
“They were just really lovely people. The family were so kind, so nice, pleasant,” she said.
Mr Mynott, an antiques dealer, and the children appeared to be making their way back home after their trip when the current pulled the boat towards the steep weir.