A BOY has died and another is in a critical condition after getting into trouble in the River Tyne yesterday.
A tragic boy, 14, jumped into the water to save his friend, 13, who began to drift away after playing on a rope swing, locals in Ovingham, Northumberland, said.
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Locals say the teenagers may have been playing on a large rope swingCredit: NCJMedia
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The children played in a group along the coast Credit: NNP
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A major emergency operation was launched yesterday in Ovingham, Northumberland Credit: NNP
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Ambulance, police and firefighters were involved in the searchCredit: NNP
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Fire crews removed the swing next to where the two boys went into the waterCredit: NNP
The boys are believed to have been part of a larger group that had traveled from west Newcastle, about 12 miles away.
Officers said one of the boys, a 13-year-old boy, was rescued from the water and taken to a hospital where he is currently listed in critical condition.
The body of a 14-year-old boy was later found in the river after a frantic search and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Locals say the teenagers may have been playing on a large rope swing by the river’s edge when they got into trouble.
A woman – who drove past the accident site yesterday – claims that the tragic boy (14) was trying to save another boy (13) who 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 came in after him – I think he’s the one who died.
FULL POLICE STATEMENT
A boy has sadly died after getting into trouble on the River Tyne in Northumberland.
Just after 3.30pm yesterday (Saturday) police received a report of concern for the welfare of two teenagers who were in the river near the bridge in Ovingham.
Emergency services were immediately dispatched to the area and one of the boys, aged 13, was rescued from the water.
He was taken to hospital where he is currently in critical condition.
A number of organizations conducted a thorough search of the area in an attempt 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 young men, so they had to travel here together.
“They came here thinking it was a nice place to play. It’s very common to see kids traveling from the Newcastle area.
“They think it’s a peaceful place to jump into the river, but they don’t realize the dangers. It’s absolutely devastating.
“My kids were playing down there and I would always say please, please, be careful.
“I was even down and cut the swing earlier, but the kids put it back.
“There was a large group of people who had gathered and I think the parents of some of the children were here.
“The river is very deep and children do not understand how deep and dangerous it is.
“My head is spinning thinking about how sad it is.”
Firefighters removed the swing next to where the two boys went into the water.
The police had earlier shortened the rope and all that is now left is a part of the strap hanging from a tree branch.
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A police officer holds a hacksaw at the scene in Ovingham Credit: NNP
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The big search started last night when two teenagers went missingCredit: NNP
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Police forensics collect evidenceCredit: NNP
The parents of both boys are being assisted by specially trained officers, police said.
Chief Superintendent Helena Barron, from 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.
“Numerous agencies were involved in the incident and their support was greatly appreciated.
“It is with great sadness that we could not give more positive news.”
Emergency services said they treated one of the teenagers before taking him to hospital.
A spokesman for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) said: “We were called to an incident in Northumberland at 3.40pm.
‘TERRIBLY SAD’
ANOTHER resident whose house is behind the police cordon told The Sun: “Yesterday I turned around to let the emergency services do their job.
“Kids don’t know 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 calm day you can actually see the little circles of water that create the currents – they’re that strong below the surface.
“The water below is full of big holes and boulders.
“Many times I wanted to go down to that swing and cut it myself.
“It’s terribly sad to wake up to this news.”
“Our team led by a doctor drove to the incident with a rapid response vehicle and arrived at the scene at 4:24 p.m.
“They worked with the North East Ambulance Service to treat the patient before taking him to hospital.”
The search was focused on a site near where 13-year-old Robert Hattersley drowned in 2022 after getting into trouble while swimming.
Locals reported seeing a police helicopter circling the river.
Mountain rescue service teams also helped in the search.
Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service tweeted: “Two Swift Water Rescue units from Pegswood in attendance.”
Carl Hattersley, 50, and wife Stella, 49, from Gateshead, were devastated to hear of the death of another 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’re going through. It’s upsetting that they’ve lost their little boy.
“It brought back memories of what we’ve been through.
“It’s still raw for us, it hasn’t been that long. It comes to two years.
“We extend our condolences and our love and support from our family to their family. If there’s any way we can help, we will.”
Stella added: “We want to send our condolences to the parents. It was very upsetting to see.
“It’s not nice to lose a child. It affected us in a very, very bad way.”
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A police helicopter flies over the sceneCredit: NNP
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Teenagers get into trouble on the River Tyne near Ovingham Bridge Credit: NNP
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