A 12-year-old boy who went missing in the River Trent has been named by family as Owen Jenkins and described as a "hero" who had tried to help a struggling friend.
Nottinghamshire Police said specialist boat rescue crews were called to a stretch of the river near Beeston Marina at around 6pm on Monday.
A body was discovered in the water at around 10pm after a major search.
Liz Ryan, Owen's great aunt, said the youngster was a "loving, kind, considerate and well mannered lad" who had been playing with friends at the time of the incident.
"He went in the water to save a girl and help her get out, and he couldn't swim much himself. We don't know the full story but all we know is that he is a hero," she told the Press Association.
"He didn't think of himself."
Ms Ryan said Owen was a mummy's boy who had many friends, was tall for his young age and that lots of people loved him.
"They were told not to go - 'Don't go playing down the weir' - and obviously that's what they do - he only lives around the corner," the 57-year-old added.
She said Owen's mother Nicola and father Gary were devastated by his death, adding that it has been "horrendous" for the family, who joined the desperate search.
"Last night everybody was there ... the saddest part was we were told we all had to go because the light was going, the police said they had to just put the helicopters up with the infrared," Ms Ryan said.
"Then in the next breath he came and said they had found him, and he wasn't far.
"It was just seeing that man in the yellow coat and him saying 'We have found him', and Nicola said 'Is he dead?' and he just said 'Yeah'.
"It hit home then. It was horrible."
Ms Ryan added: "It is tragic. Apparently he had just got the best record at school for running and two medals. He was just coming into his little youth."
Nottinghamshire Police said in a statement they were called to reports that a boy had gone into the River Trent off Riverside Road.
"Fire and ambulance crews were also on scene and specialist search teams launched a major search operation, but sadly at around 10pm a body was found in the water," the force said.
"Our thoughts are with the family during this time."
Ms Ryan added: "All the family would like to thank the rescue teams and all the friends that helped - a lot of people went in."
Owen's grandmother, Lynda Fletcher, said his family is "heartbroken".
Mrs Fletcher said her grandson was "a friendly giant" and would help anyone.
She said: "I just know that his mum is heartbroken, and I mean heartbroken."
She said: "He was like a giraffe, he was nearly 6ft tall. He was just a friendly giant."
Mrs Fletcher also confirmed that Owen went into the water to help two girls.
She said: "He's supposed to have helped them out and then he didn't come back.
"He would have been on the front row for anybody.
"Everybody loved him because he was so nice. They loved him because he was so kind and polite."
Mrs Fletcher was speaking outside the nearby Rylands Methodist Church where a book of condolence has been opened for Owen.
Her husband, John, said the sport-mad youngster had only just broken the Chilwell School record for the 200m, which had stood since 1981.
Mr Fletcher said he would banter with his grandson about who was the stronger, even though he was only 12.
And he choked back tears as he said: "I taught him how to go and help people."
Mr and Mrs Fletcher said Owen's father spent the whole night sitting by the weir near where the tragedy happened.
They said they hoped safety measures would be put in place at the scene to stop anything like that happening again.
But they also said Owen had been warned not to go near the water.
Cheryl Smith, from Rylands Methodist Church, said Owen's family was well-known in the close-knit Rylands area of Beeston, where he lived just a few streets away from the scene of the tragedy.
Ms Smith said: "There's a definite outpouring of grief. Cut one person and we all bleed. We're Rylanders.
"They feel the need to do something and I just responded by saying the church would be open for two hours to light candles, to sit quietly, to pray, so people of any faith, no faith are welcome.
"It's a very close-knit community. Last evening, there were over 300 people down at the offering their help.
"It was a hopeless situation because all the experts were doing their work but the community felt like they needed to be there.
"Generations of the family have lived in the Rylands.
"One of his football team parents came down earlier. He was the first the write in the book."
Ms Smith said the community believed Owen died as a hero
She said: "I don't know the full story but that's the speculation that's going round that somebody else got into difficulty."
Flowers have been placed at the scene with messages of sympathy.
One just read: "To a hero, from a community."
Another said: "There are no words".
The scene of the tragedy is close to the large Beeston Weir over the Trent, which diverts water into Beeston Lock.
And the area is next to a large recreation ground.
People walking dogs in the area said it was not unusual to see people in the water on warm days, but they had not heard of a fatality in the location for decades.
Local MP Anna Soubry has called for an immediate review of safety at Beeston Weir following the tragedy.
Ms Soubry, who is the Tory MP for Broxtowe, said: "This is a terrible accident and everyone's thoughts are with Owen's family and friends.
"I have already contacted the local police inspector and spoken to the leader of Broxtowe Borough Council to make sure there is an immediate review of safety at this popular spot. With the school holidays about to start and more warm weather on the way, children are bound to be drawn to rivers, lakes and canals. It's vital we keep our youngsters safe."