PRAISE has poured in for a diver who brought missing student Euan Coulthard home to his family.

Commercial diver Trevor Bankhead travelled from Scotland to Durham to carry out an underwater search for the teenager who had been missing for more than a week.

Within a minute, the 45-year-old volunteer found Euan’s body near Framwelgate Bridge and later recounted how he told the 19-year-old: “I’ve come to take you home my friend.”

When The Northern Echo carried his selfless story, the paper’s Facebook page was inundated with comments from well-wishers keen to pass on their praise to Mr Bankhead for bringing the search to an end.

Among the dozens of tributes paid, Sandra Eddy said: “You are a total hero. Heart of absolute gold. Well done. You and your family should be so proud of what you have done.”

Joanne Akarsu added: “Such a selfless, brave thing to do for someone, you deserve recognition. I hope his poor family can now lay him to rest, such a tragic ending for someone so young”

Julia Bell said: “Brought tears to my eyes. Amazing respect and a loving thing to do for Euan's family and friends”.

Julie Robinson posted: "I am in tears. The lump in my throat is huge,” while Jan Armstrong simply said: “The world needs more people like Mr Bankhead."

And as the touching story was shared across the country, calls were growing online for Mr Bankhead’s compassion and humanity to be recognised.

Diane Brown said: “This man needs a medal what a wonderful thing to do, travel all that way to help bring the family closure. I personally didn't know Euan but I want to say thank you to this man for getting this young man reunited with his family”.

Claire Westwood put it simply: “This man needs a medal.”

Gillian Atkinson summed up the mood on Facebook, saying: “Trevor Bankhead – you did an absolutely wonderful thing. Well done! You are a hero in my eyes.”