English Channel tragedy: Tributes paid to Shropshire swimmer Nick Thomas
Tributes have been paid to Shropshire swimmer Nick Thomas who has died following a solo attempt to swim the channel.
Among those paying tribute to Mr Thomas were Freddie Iron, of Break Point UK, who was joint winner of Channel 4's SAS: Who Dares Wins in 2015.
He said Mr Thomas had given him some top tips while at a swimming camp in Lanzarote.
He said: "Absolutely devastated to hear that #19 Nick Thomas has tragically passed away on his solo channel swim attempt last night.
"A true Enduroman, great training partner and friend.
"He will be sorely missed and his loss will he massively felt in the Enduroman community. Thoughts are with his family. Keep swimming my friend."
Other athletes from across the country took to social media, where Mr Thomas was known by the handle @trismartnick, to express their shock and sadness.
Fellow swimmer, biker and runner Matthew Clarke, from Lincolnshire, said: "Rest In Peace @trismartnick and keep swimming beyond this lifetime and into eternity. #rip19."
Rowan Ardill, a Parkrun engagement officer from Ellesmere, said: "So incredibly sad to hear of the passing of @trismartnick. A huge inspiration of a man who died doing something he loved. RIP Nick."
Only 25 people have ever completed the "ultra distance" Enduroman triathlon, in which competitors have to run, cycle and swim from Marble Arch in London and to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
The challenge starts with an 87-mile run (140km) to Dover, then a cross-channel swim of 21 miles (33.8km) followed by a 180-mile (289.7km) bike ride from Calais to Paris.
