Boy, 14, who drowned trying to save friend in river named and pictured
A 14-year-old boy who died in a river trying to save his friend has been named locally as David Radut.
He died on Saturday afternoon after jumping into the River Tyne at Ovingham Bridge in Northumberland.
He is believed to have been part of a group of friends playing on a rope swing over the water when he and another boy, aged 13, went missing in the water.
The 13-year-old was quickly rescued by emergency services and remains in hospital in a critical condition – but David’s body was found later that day.
A large rope swing hanging over the water from a branch was taken down by fire crews on Sunday.
On Monday the tree previously holding the rope swing was cut down and left half-submerged in the river, but the county council and fire service say they were not responsible for the felling.
David’s friends have paid tribute to the ‘one in a million’ teen, described by one as ‘one of the nicest boys I know’.
One wrote on Facebook: ‘Rest easy David Radut until we meet again and when we do don’t take my shoes off me and call me little legs, haha forever a big miss.’
Another said: ‘Rest in peace David Radut you never failed to make me laugh one of the nicest boys I know I’ll miss you ringing at stupid o’clock in the morning asking me to come live on Insta with you and winding me up 24/7.
‘Hope heaven treats u well rest easy our boy.’
A third said: ‘Rest in peace ma cuzzin since day 1 been there for me gonna miss u.’
While a fourth added: ‘Awh honestly i miss him sm he always had a smile on his face always rang me make sure i was okay FOREVER14.’
Flowers have been left at the scene, which locals claim is a popular spot for teenagers to play and spend time during the warmer months.
In the wake of the tragedy a number of residents have raised concerns that local children aren’t being educated about the strong currents and potential dangers of the river.
The news comes almost two years after 13-year-old Robert Hattersley died on the same stretch of river.
Robert drowned during the heatwave in July 2022 after being swept away by the current.
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