Villagers were in shock today at the death of a "bright, pleasant little lad" in a boating tragedy on the Thames.

Villagers in Marsh Baldon have rallied round the family of Ashley Jordan, two, although they have lived there only a few weeks.

The family were taking comfort from friends and relatives at their home and were too distraught to talk about the accident.

Ashley, two, died after he fell from the 40ft pleasure craft Mapledurham which his father was renovating. The accident happened at Salter's boatyard, Donnington Bridge, Oxford, on Easter Monday. The boy was not wearing a lifejacket.

A frantic search involving police, fire, ambulance crews and the police helicopter and scores of members of the public, failed to find the lad.

His body was discovered when the 70-passenger vessel was moved.

Simon Froom, landlord of Marsh Baldon's only pub, the Seven Stars, said people were stunned by the news. "People remember seeing him with his mum and he was a bright, pleasant little lad.

"His brother and sister went to the village school and the lad often waited for them to come out.

"The feeling here was one of shock and disbelief.

"No-one here knows them well - they have been in the village only a few weeks and are not regular users of the pub.

"But everyone's heart goes out to them.

"I have two children of my own - I can imagine just a little of what the poor devil must be going through." Another villager said: "We all kept our children a little closer to ourselves today after hearing the news - we can imagine what the Jordans are going through.

"It only takes a second to lose the most precious thing you have.

"Something like this makes you value human life."

Churchgoer Ellen Frost said prayers were said for the family by individuals.

An inquest into Ashley's death was opened and adjourned until a date to be fixed.

Story date: Wednesday 07 April

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