DESPERATE attempts were made to save a young barman’s life after he jumped fully-clothed into a river, it has emerged.

Richard Horrocks, 21, whose family live near Northallerton, died after jumping from a balcony into the River Ouse, in York, early on Sunday.

The bartender was walking home with colleagues after finishing his shift at the Revolution bar, off Coney Street, when he leapt into the river.

When it became clear he was in difficulties, a friend jumped in the river in an effort to reach him and a passer- by used a rowing boat to try to reach the struggling man. Neither was able to save him.

An inquest into the death opened in York yesterday.

York Coroner Donald Coverdale said Mr Horrocks, whose parents live in Yafforth, near Northallerton, stayed behind with colleagues for a drink after finishing his shift, leaving at about 6.30am.

Mr Coverdale said: “There was some mention of jumping in the river but it wasn’t considered likely. Then Mr Horrocks was seen to run to the balcony and leap over it and jump into the river.

“He began swimming across the river but began to struggle.”

Mr Horrocks’ body was recovered at 4.40pm on Sunday.

He said the provisional cause of death was drowning and adjourned the inquest to a later date.

Mr Horrocks, of Stanley Street, York, had posted a comment on Facebook on Saturday, saying: “Just one shift left at Revolution.”

Dozens of tributes have now been posted on Facebook.

Tom Abram wrote: “You’ll carry on living in the hearts you left behind mate, what a character! RIP Rich x.”

Claire Beatson posted: “There aren’t words to explain the epic loss experienced yesterday, my heart goes out to all the other people whose lives were touched by the man, the myth, the legend.”

And Fraser Monaghan posted: “York has truly lost one of its best.”

Friends suggested the funeral would take place in Northallerton, but said that for those not attending there were plans to hire a bar in York for one night for “a celebration of Richard, with drinks flowing as he would want it”.

A spokesman for Revolution said it would not be appropriate to comment.