Tributes as 'true gent' Chris dies

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HEARTFELT tributes have poured in for a “true gentleman” who died while out walking near Scafell Pike.

The body of Chris Brown, 35, was found in the early hours of yesterday at Chambers Crag.

Following his death, hundreds of people have taken to social media to remember the popular postman and firefighter, saying he “always had a smile” and had “time to talk”.

A search for Mr Brown, from Parton in Whitehaven, started on Monday evening after loved ones raised the alarm when he failed to return from a walk up Scafell.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team searched through the night and were joined by rescue teams from Cockermouth and Duddon and Furness the following morning.

Police issued a statement yesterday morning, saying that Mr Brown’s body had been found.

Mr Brown and his wife Sam, who had a young daughter together, were married for just over a year.

The couple hit the headlines before their big day as their wedding date was the same as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s – although he told one customer on his rounds that he had chosen the date first. “They just wanted to be married at the same time as us,” he laughed at the time.

Friends and colleagues of Mr Brown, a postman in the Flimby area and a member of the Maryport Retained Fire Service, paid moving tributes to him as news of the tragedy filtered yesterday.

Mr Brown has been described, almost universally, as “a true gentleman” and someone who was always willing to help out.

Several described him as “a truly nice, genuine man”.

Writing on Facebook, Karen Stephenson said: “Absolutely heartbreaking to hear this. Such a lovely, kind, genuine man.”

Stephanie Tinkler said: “Fly high Chris, a wonderful young man with a smile and a word for everyone. Your beautiful family, parents and siblings are in my thoughts. The world is a sadder place without young men like you.”

And Alana May Moore posted: “Awful news, such a lovely lad who would do anything for anyone, always going above and beyond for all. Thoughts are with his family and friends at this devastating time.”

One of the customers to whom Mr Brown delivered post in Flimby told The Whitehaven News: “He could even make you feel good when he was only delivering bills. He really did always have a smile on his face, no matter what the weather. He just seemed such a lovely guy and I think they will be hardput to replace him.”