Boy ‘tried to save friend who couldn’t swim’ before teen died after being pulled from River Soar
A BOY tried to save his pal who couldn’t swim before the teen died after being pulled from a river.
Police and firefighters were called at 9.15pm Saturday after four teenage boys entered the River Soar in Barrow-upon-Soar near Loughborough, Leicestershire.
A specialist water rescue team and helicopter attended the scene, but one of the boys died after being rescued from the water.
Now a local who was in a nearby pub at the time has claimed that one of the teenagers had tried to save the friend who couldn’t swim.
She told the Mirror: “We just saw people crying and loads of emergency services turned up. I saw a couple of lads running around wet and a very distressed boy with the paramedics.
“He apparently tried to save his friend who couldn’t swim. They were messing around prior to pushing each other and jumping off the bridge.
“The pub was asked to turn the music off and then everyone was asked to leave.”
“We cut our night short because it didn’t feel right having a laugh while all of this was happening outside.”
It comes after the boy’s mum thanked everyone for their tributes.
She said: “I am the mother of the boy that tragically lost his life in the River Soar yesterday.
“I have seen everybody’s kind comments and would just like to say thank you for keeping us in your thoughts at this difficult time.
“For anybody wanting to leave flowers for my son, I’ve started putting them around the tree on the bank where he was pulled from the river. Opposite the moorings pub”.
Leicestershire Police said: “At 9.15pm yesterday (Saturday 13 May) officers were called to the area of Bridge Street in Barrow-upon-Soar by Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service.
“It was reported that four teenage boys had entered the water.
“Following a search of the water, one boy was rescued but was pronounced dead a short time later.
“The other three were found safe and received medical attention.
“Specially-trained officers are providing support to the boy’s family and are engaging with the other three boys.
“A file will be prepared for the coroner and identification of the deceased is a matter for HM Coroner.”