Wells Cathedral pay tribute to young organist found dead in Cambridge river
Heartfelt tributes have been paid to a young organist who was found dead in a river.Harrison Cole, who played at Wells Cathedral before college, was sadly found dead in the River Cam, in Cambridge, near King's College.Wells Cathedral shared a tribute to Harrison following his death. In a statement, it said: "We are deeply saddened by the news of the death of Harrison Cole, who was Organ Scholar at Wells Cathedral between 2018 and 2019."We pray for Harrison as he takes his place in glory, and for all who he leaves behind, that his example may lead us and God's love surround us. May he rest in peace and rise in glory."Celebrity organist Anna Lapwood wrote: "Still can't quite get my head around this news. Harrison was such a glorious person and an amazing organist. Sending all my love to his family, and to everyone in Cambridge. May he rest in peace and rise in glory."King's College Provost Gillian Tett said: "The entire College community has felt this loss keenly, particularly the Choir and Chapel teams. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this sad time."In an online tribute, one person said: "Incredibly sad. Such a beautiful young and inspirational gentleman."Another said: "Heart-breaking. Rest in peace beautiful soul."Others said: "Praying for his family", "May the angels lead him into paradise RIP", and "Such a beautiful and talented young man. A tragic loss."The Mirror reports that 25-year-old Harrison was found in the River Cam, on Sunday, June 7.Police said Harrison's death is not "being treated as suspicious" and a file has been prepared for the coroner.A Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson said: "We were called to the River Cam at about 9.15am on Sunday with reports of the body of a man in the river near to King's College. The death is not being treated as suspicious and has been passed to the coroner."Harrison was an "assisting organist" at King's College and in a statement the school said: "Harrison Cole was a music scholar at Ipswich School, and during his school years, he spent three years as a student at the Junior Department of the Royal Academy of Music."Following a gap year organ scholarship at Wells Cathedral, he came up to Trinity College, Cambridge as organ scholar in 2019."Upon graduation, he spent a year as assistant organist at Gonville and Caius College before taking up his position at King's in September 2024."During his time at King's, the organist participated in recordings, broadcasts and concert tours with the Choir, including two Festivals of Nine Lessons and Carols services, as well as tours to Australia, Estonia, the USA and Canada.Harrison was due to leave King's this summer, the college confirmed.He had recently been appointed to assistant positions at St Paul's in Knightsbridge and St Michael's in Cornhill: two prestigious musical institutions in London from which he was preparing to embark on a freelance career as pianist, organist and conductor.
