Girlfriend of rugby player found dead in a river pays an emotional tribute to her 'soulmate' as it is revealed 11 people have died at the same spot

The girlfriend of a keen young rugby player pulled from a river has paid tribute to her "soulmate" in an emotional video on Facebook.

Police searching for Bath Spa University student Henry Burke, 19, on Saturday pulled his body from the River Avon in the city, where 11 others have died in the last six years.

Heartbroken Emma Comley posted a short video after the body was found on Saturday of herself cuddling the second year Geography student.

She wrote: "I miss you my darling boy. You have my entire heart, just as you always said, I'm yours. Forever and always. Sleep tight my soulmate."

On Thursday night he was thrown out of a club for trying to break up a fight and texted his girlfriend to tell her he was drunk and he loved her.

Police were called when the second year Bath Spa student didn't come home or turn up for work as a tour guide at Bath Abbey on Friday.

CCTV stills from Zero Zero nightclub show him "leaving in a huff and puff", according to his musical theatre student girlfriend. His final text to her read: "I'm p****d not going to lie. I love this baby".

Just hours after she urged locals to look for him, police confirmed firefighters had found a body in the River Avon at about midday on Saturday. It is thought to be at least the 11th death in the same stretch of water since 2009 - about half of them students on nights out.

Speaking before the body was found, Miss Comley said: "I went out in Bristol and he went out in Bath and we were texting each other throughout the night. I wasn't drinking at all but he was the complete opposite. By midnight he was completely trashed. He was texting me through the night and he could barely type. He's a real soppy drunk and he was saying 'I love you so much' and 'I'm so happy with us'."

WATERWAY OF WOE: DEATHS IN THE RIVER AVON

May 2009 - University of Bath student Kharunigan Jayanatham, 21, had been talking to a friend on his mobile phone when he lost his footing near Victoria Bridge.Two passers-by attempted to save him by jumping into the river but could not reach him.

November 2009 - Designer Casper Flagg, 28, went missing after a night out in Bath. His body was found in the River Avon four weeks later on Boxing Day.

April 2011 - Bath Spa student James Bubear, 19, went missing after a night out in Bath. His body was found in the river three weeks later.

August 2013 - Rough sleeper Zamion Bowyer, 37, went missing late after going out to buy tobacco at a 24-hour-shop. His body was recovered from the river after a tourist on a river cruise reported seeing a body floating in the water five days later.

January 2014 - Christopher Taylor, a 21-year-old chemistry student at the University of Bath, was spotted in the water near the Homebase car park in the early hours. Despite police officers arriving quickly at the scene and initially speaking to him, he was swept under before they could rescue him.

April 2014 - Donovan Weale, 42, fell into the river. A member of the public raised the alarm. Police officers jumped into the water and managed to pull the him out but were unable to revive him.

September 2014 - Sammuel Amin, 18, was on a night out when he drowned just a week before he was due to start at Birmingham City University to study mechanical engineering.

June 2016 - Michael Barnes, 60, drowned while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Where to get help:

• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
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• Youth services: (06) 3555 906 (Palmerston North and Levin)
• Youthline: 0800 376 633
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• Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
• Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
• Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (available 24/7)
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.