Hero schoolboy, 13, desperately tried to save teen pal after he fell in river but both tragically drowned

TWO teenage boys tragically drowned in a river after a hero schoolboy jumped into the water to rescue his pal, an inquest heard.

Aras Rudzianskas, 13, was attempting to save David Radut, 14, from the River Tyne in Ovingham, Northumberland, when tragedy struck.

The teenagers had been taking turns playing on a rope swing over the water on May 18, 2024, Northumberland Coroner’s Court heard.

But David, who was unable to swim, let go of the rope over the river on his second attempt – sending him plunging into deep water.

He then shouted to his group of 20 friends on the river bank for help, prompting heroic Aras to jump in after him.

However, amid the panic, the 13-year-old was repeatedly pulled under the water by his desperate pal.

One of the group attempted to grab David, but let go of his arms after they too started being pulled under, Assistant Coroner Paul Dunn said.

But the youngster was not sure whether the pull came from the current in the river or David.

The 14-year-old was never seen by his friends again after vanishing under the water.

Some 36 police officers were scrambled to the river after receiving reports of the incident just before 3.30pm.

Aras’ lifeless body was pulled from the water by paddleboarder Fiona Matthews, who initially thought he was a “pale rock”.

She was made aware of the tragedy after some boys – believed to be pals of David and Aras – asked if she had seen anyone in the water.

Fiona, who then attempted to resuscitate the teen, described the current as less calm than usual on the day of the tragedy.

She told the court: “I pulled him under the arms and used his shorts to try and get him out of the water. I think the adrenaline kicked in.

“I had lost my paddle by then so I was using my hands to paddle.”

Thanks to Fiona’s actions, paramedics were then able to take over and get Aras’ heart beating again.

The teen was then immediately rushed to the Royal Victoria Infirmary by air ambulance.

But despite the best efforts of medical teams, Aras tragically died in the hospital in Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, three days later.

Divers from Northumbria Police confirmed David was discovered hours later after a lengthy search.

His body had floated 21 meters downstream from the rope swing, the inquest heard.

The 14-year-old was declared dead at the scene at around 6.30pm.

Detective Sergeant Danielle Grant told the inquest the pair had been the first to play on the rope swing.

She said: “Nobody else got around to having a try because it happened so quickly.”

Det Sgt Grant ordered the tree branch holding the swing to be cut down the following day.

Assistant Coroner Dunn told the court it was not the first tragedy he had investigated in the River Tyne.

He said: “I dealt with the inquest of Robert Hattersley, another young man killed in different circumstances in the same piece of river. 

“I remember sitting with his family and very much hoping I wouldn’t have to have another family, families, in front of me again.

“Here we are unfortunately with a similar set of circumstances.”