Second boy dies in hospital after being pulled from River Tyne

A second boy has died after two children got into difficulty in the River Tyne in Northumberland on Saturday.

Northumbria Police said Aras Rudzianskas, 13, from Newcastle, died in hospital on Tuesday.

Fourteen-year-old David Radut, also from Newcastle, died at the scene near the bridge at Ovingham on Saturday.

Ch Supt Sam Rennison, of Northumbria police, said: “Our sincerest sympathies go to the loved ones of both boys and we will continue to provide whatever support we can at this devastating time.

“Since Saturday, our thoughts and those of the wider community have been with the families and friends of those affected.

“We would ask that the public continue to respect the privacy of the families both online and in the community.”

Online fundraising appeals have been set up for the boys’ families to help them meet funeral costs.

Earlier this week, flowers were laid beside the River Tyne close to where the friends had been playing.

A nearby tree which used to overhang the river and which had a rope attached to it, had been freshly cut down.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the parents of another teenager who died in the same stretch of river two years ago accused Northumberland county council of pushing them “to one side” after they raised concerns about the danger the river could pose to other children.

Carl and Stella Hattersley said they had hoped to distribute water safety leaflets in schools after the death of their 13-year-old son, Robert, but they felt ignored.

Northumberland council said water safety messaging was a “key part” of its communications with the public.

A spokesperson said: “Aside from the warning signs and public safety equipment in place on council land across from where this incident took place, water safety messages have formed a key part of our wider communications activity for the general public and visitors to the county.”