A 14-year-old boy died and a 13-year-old boy was left in a critical condition after getting into difficulties in the River Tyne while playing on a rope swing near the water.
Residents alleged that the older boy might have been trying to rescue the younger boy after he fell into the water on Saturday afternoon.
Emergency services were called to Ovingham in Northumberland shortly after 3.30pm amid reports that two boys had entered the water.
The 13-year-old boy was rescued from the river while the body of the older child was later recovered.
It is believed the victims may have been part of a larger group who traveled from the west end of Newcastle, around 20 kilometers away, and were playing on a rope swing over the water.
Police and firefighters at the scene on Sunday cut a rope near the river bank while forensic officers examined the area.
During the 2022 heat wave, a 13-year-old boy lost his life in the same stretch of river.
A local woman said: “I heard the first boy went into the river from the swing and showed he was in trouble, so the second boy came in after him, who I believe was the one who died.
“There was a group of about eight teenagers and boys, so they must have traveled here together.
“It’s very common to see children traveling from the Newcastle area. They think it’s a calm place to jump into the river, but they don’t realize the dangers. It’s absolutely devastating.”
She added: “My children used to play there and I always said please be careful. I’ve been there and cut the swing down before, but the kids put it back up.
“The river is very deep and children don’t realize how deep and dangerous it is.”
Another resident whose house faces the police cordon said: “On a calm day you can see small circles of water being made by the currents. Below the water is full of big holes and rocks.”
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Shortly after 3.30pm on Saturday, police received a report of concerns for the welfare of two teenagers who were in the river near the bridge in Ovingham.
“Emergency services were immediately mobilized to the area and one of the boys, aged 13, was rescued from the water. He was taken to hospital, where he remains in critical condition.”
The parents of the two boys are being supported by specially trained officers, the force said.
Chief Superintendent Helena Barron 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.
“It is with great sadness that we were unable to provide a more positive update.”
