Canal and River Trust pays tribute to team member from Tring who was killed at the Grand Union Canal

The Canal and River Trust has paid tribute to a team member from Tring who died in an incident on the Grand Union Canal towpath in Aylesbury earlier this week.

The Canal and River Trust chief executive Richard Parry released a message about the incident that took place on Monday, April 26, where a man from Tring was killed.

Following a formal identification procedure yesterday (Thursday), the victim has been identified as Clive Porter, 63, a former police officer for Hertfordshire Constabulary.

Yesterday, Clive's family paid tribute to him, describing him as a 'quiet, calm and caring person'.

The Canal and River Trust said the victim was a member of its team and was on duty at the time of the incident.

Richard Parry said: "Sadly, one our colleagues, Clive Porter, a Licensing Ranger with the Trust, died on Monday 26 April on the Grand Union Canal towpath in Aylesbury, in an incident which is the subject of a police murder investigation.

"This tragic loss is deeply distressing for us all. We are sharing the police’s appeal urging anyone with information about the incident, no matter how insignificant, to come forward and assist the investigation.

"Clive had worked on the waterways since 2010 when he joined us on his retirement from the police force after more than 30 years, his final role being as the local police officer at Tring, joining the South East waterways team to continue to serve his local community.

"A devoted family man, Clive went quietly about his work diligently and conscientiously. You would rarely see Clive in one of our offices because he loved being outdoors and was passionate about the environment; the towpath was his natural workplace where he would be found, come rain or shine.

"Even if you didn’t know Clive, I imagine all of us will recognise the type of person he was. Reliable, steadfast, unassuming and entirely trustworthy. Doing his job with little fuss and with a calm, friendly manner. He was respected by colleagues and by all those who met him, someone who believed firmly in his mission to support others.

"Clive was a role model for us all, and he will be very sadly missed.

"The loss we face will be a small fraction of the loss that his family will bear and our hearts go out to them. Even though he has been taken from us in this brutal, pointless attack, he will always remain a part of the South East waterways that he gave so much to."

Thames Valley Police are investigating the incident and two arrests have been made.

A 34-year-old man of no fixed abode has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and a 41-year-old woman from Birmingham has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice.

The woman has been released on police bail until 24 May, whilst the man is in the custody of officers receiving hospital treatment.

A Home Office post mortem was carried out on Wednesday (April 28), and the cause of death is currently pending.

Thames Valley Police are continuing to appeal to anyone with any information to contact the force by calling 101 or visiting their website quoting investigation reference 845 (26/4).

Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously via their website or on 0800 555 111.