RIVER TRAGEDY
Hero boy, 14, died ‘rescuing his stricken pal, 13, who fell into river while playing on rope swing’
The pair were part of a larger group of kids playing by the water's edge, locals say
A BOY has died and another is in a critical condition after getting into difficulty in the River Tyne yesterday.
The tragic lad, 14, jumped into the water to save his pal, 13, who started struggling after playing on a rope swing, locals in Ovingham, Northumberland said.
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It is believed the boys were part of a bigger group who had travelled from the west end of Newcastle around 12 miles away.
Cops said one of the boys, aged 13, was rescued from the water and was taken to hospital where he currently remains in a critical condition.
The body of the 14-year-old boy was later found in the river following a frantic search and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Locals say the teenagers may have been playing on a large rope swing along the river's edge when they got into difficulty.
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A woman - who drove past the scene yesterday - claimed the tragic boy, 14, had been trying to rescue the other lad, 13, who had jumped into the water.
The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Sun: "I heard the first boy went into the river from the swing and he showed he was in trouble so the second one went in after him - I think he's the one who died.
FULL POLICE STATEMENT
A boy has sadly died after getting into difficulty in the River Tyne at Northumberland.
Shortly after 3.30pm yesterday (Saturday), police received a report of concern for the welfare of two teenage boys who were in the river near the bridge at Ovingham.
Emergency services were immediately deployed to the area and one of the boys, aged 13, was rescued from the water.
He was taken to hospital where he currently remains in a critical condition.
A number of organisations conducted a thorough search of the area in a bid to locate the second boy.
Sadly, the 14-year-old's body was later found in the water and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
"There was a group of about eight teenage girls and boys so they must have travelled here together.
"They have come here thinking it is a nice spot to play. It's very common to see kids travelling from the Newcastle area.
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"They think it's a calm spot to jump in the river but they don't realise the dangers. It's absolutely devastating.
"My kids used to play down and there and I would always say please, please be careful.
"I've even been down there and cut the swing down before but the kids put it back up.
"There was a big group of people who had gathered and I think the parents of some of the kids were here.
Horror 'brings back memories' for grieving dad
THE dad of a boy who drowned in the same river as the tragic teen said the horror has "brought back memories".
Carl Hattersley's son Robert died in the River Tyne at Ovingham on July 22, 2022.
Carl, 50, from Gateshead, said: "I feel very upset about it. We know what they are going through.
"It's upsetting that they've lost their little son. It's brought back memories of what we have gone through.
"It's still raw to us, it hasn't been that long. It's coming up to two years.
"We give our condolences and our love and support from our family to their family. If we can help in anyway we will.
"If they want they can get in touch with a phone call because we know what it’s like to lose a little boy."
"The river is very deep and the kids don't realise how deep and dangerous it is.
"My head is spinning thinking about how sad it is.";
Fire crews removed the swing next to where the two boys entered the water.
The rope had earlier been shortened by police and all that remains now is a section of strapping hanging from a branch of the tree.
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The parents of both boys are being supported by specially-trained officers, police said.
Chief Superintendent Helena Barron, of Northumbria Police, said: "This is an absolutely tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the families of both boys at this difficult time as we continue to support them.
"A number of agencies were involved in the incident and their support was hugely appreciated.
"It is with great sadness that we could not provide a more positive update."
Ambulance services said they treated one of the teenage boys before taking him to hospital.
A spokesperson for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) said: "We were activated to an incident in Northumberland at 3.40pm.
'TERRIBLY SAD'
ANOTHER local whose house backs onto the police cordon told The Sun: "I turned away to let the emergency services do their job yesterday.
"The kids don't know just how dangerous it can get down there.
"It's so sad when you see it happening close to home.
"The same thing happened two years ago.
"On a still day you can actually see small circles of water being made by the currents - that's how strong they are under the surface.
"Below the water is full of great big holes and boulders.
"There's been many times I've wanted to go down to that swing and cut it down myself.
"It's terribly sad to wake up to this news."
"Our Doctor-led team drove to the incident via Rapid Response Vehicle and arrived on scene at 4.24pm.
"They worked with the North East Ambulance Service to treat a patient before accompanying them to hospital."
Searches were focused on a spot near to where 13-year-old Robert Hattersley drowned in 2022 after getting into difficulties while swimming.
Locals reported seeing a police helicopter circling the river.
Mountain rescue teams were also helping with the search.
Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service tweeted: "Two Swift Water Rescue units from Pegswood are present."
Carl Hattersley, 50, and wife Stella, 49, from Gateshead, were devastated to hear about the death of another young boy in the same stretch of river that claimed the life of their son Matthew.
Carl said: "I feel very upset about it. We know what they are going through. It's upsetting that they've lost their little son.
"It's brought back memories of what we have gone through.
"It's still raw to us, it hasn't been that long. It's coming up to two years.
"We give our condolences and our love and support from our family to their family. If we can help in anyway we will."
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Stella added: "We want to give the parents our condolences. It was very upsetting to see it.
"It's not nice losing a child. It affected us in a really, really bad way."
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