THE partner of Oxford surveyor Chris Wheeler, who died after getting trapped under his kayak in the flooded River Dart, on Dartmoor, Devon, on Saturday, paid an emotional tribute to him.

Julia Hopkinson, his partner of 14 years, said Mr Wheeler, 46, a member of the Kingfisher Canoe Club, in Abingdon, was not ‘a crazy risk taker’.

She said: “This was a river he had done many times before in high water. No-one understands how it went wrong that day.

“Apart from being an exceptional kayaker Chris was a unique special person and loving partner. My loss at no longer having him in my life isn’t something I can begin to put in words.

“We were soulmates and I loved him so much. But I have to take comfort from the fact that he died doing what he loved.”

Friends at the Kingfisher club also paid tribute.

A message on the club’s website read: “As a paddler and a friend he was the best. We are all devastated by the loss.

“Chris was an extremely experienced kayaker with an infectious enthusiasm for paddling on both the river and the sea.

“Anyone who met him or read his numerous magazine articles about his travels and experiences couldn’t help but be inspired to go out and paddle.

“At the end he was paddling his favourite river at a level that he would have been delighted with.

“Our deepest sympathy and thoughts go to his partner, his family and friends.”