Two Tesco workers drown in the River Avon after one ran into the water to help the other when he got into trouble while swimming

• Velly Sousa, 24, and Samuel Fernandez, 20, drowned in the River Avon, Bath
• Samuel had jumped into the water to try and save Velly who was struggling 
• The two men were pulled out of the water and pronounced dead at the scene 
• Avon and Somerset Police are not treating the incident as suspicious at present

Two men who drowned in the River Avon on Thursday have been identified as Tesco workers from Swindon out on a day trip with friends.

Velly Sousa, 24, and Samuel Fernandez, 20, both drowned after Velly became stranded in the water.

Samuel went into the river to try and help his colleague in Bath, Somerset, but ended up losing his life too.

Both men were part of a group of colleagues from a Tesco in Swindon, Wiltshire who were enjoying a day out.

Emergency services were called just after 4pm on Thursday.

A friend of the victims, Luvson D'Costa, 29 visited the site of the accident today and said: 'I used to work with them, I was closer to Sam and Velley was more of a friend of a friend, but they were great guys.

'I know Sam could swim, I'm not sure about Velley. They weren't drinking or anything, it was just a tragic accident.'

He also said that he had seen Samuel only a couple of days previously and some of his friends had seen him on the day he died.

Emergency services were called just after 4pm on Thursday.

The rescue mission was led by Avon and Somerset Police, with Avon Fire & Rescue Service and the South Western Ambulance Service also in attendance. 

According to ITV News, the two men were believed to be in their 20s and four people had jumped into the river in an attempt to save them. 

After an extensive search by the rescue team, two male bodies were pulled out of the water, with both men pronounced dead shortly afterwards. 

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: 'We were called at 4.12pm by the ambulance service amid concern for people in the water near Toll Bridge Road in Bath. 

'A rescue operation was subsequently led by Avon Fire and Rescue Service.

'Two adult casualties were rescued and given into the care of the ambulance service. However both males were pronounced dead at the scene.

'We are not treating the circumstances around the deaths as suspicious at this time.  The deaths will be referred to the coroner.'

According to Somerset Live, 11 ambulances - including an air ambulance - were called to the incident on Toll Bridge Road, located on the opposite side of the river to the Bathampton Mill. 

One social media user, who goes by the name of 'Ant', tweeted that the Toll Bridge Road had reopened just before 7pm on Wednesday following the incident.

On May 19, 'Ant' also tweeted: 'Toll Bridge Road now increasingly dangerous for pedestrians. Cars going full speed even though people are on both sides of the road to maintain distance. Marked increase in traffic. Guy in car weaving between pedestrians like they were bollards.'