Boy, 13, tried to save 14-year-old friend from the River Tyne before they both drowned, inquest hears

Heat health warnings have been extended following the tragic deaths of two teenagers in open water during a recent heatwave. The incident occurred in May 2024 along the River Tyne in Ovingham, Northumberland, when two boys, aged 13 and 14, drowned after attempting to rescue each other. The boys, Aras Rudzianskas, 13, and David Radut, 14, were among a group of approximately 20 children from Newcastle who had traveled to the riverbank on May 18, 2024. They were using a rope swing attached to a tree branch, taking turns to swing out over the river. During their turn, David, who could not swim, accidentally let go of the rope and fell into the water. He called for help from Aras, who immediately jumped into the river to assist him. As the situation escalated, David panicked and pushed Aras underwater, leading to both boys struggling in the water. Another child attempted to help by grasping David’s arms, but they were pulled under the water themselves and returned to the riverbank. A paddleboarder named Fiona Matthews discovered Aras face down in the water, seemingly motionless. She identified the boy by the appearance of what looked like a pale rock and realized it was Aras’ back. She turned him over, performed chest compressions, and managed to pull him onto her paddleboard. Fiona described the chaos as she tried to keep Aras alive while navigating the river. She noted that she had opted to kneel on her paddleboard instead of standing due to the turbulent waters. Despite her efforts, Aras was eventually taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle by air ambulance, where he tragically passed away three days later. His condition remained critical throughout the journey. Meanwhile, police units were alerted to the incident through multiple emergency calls. Detective Sergeant Danielle Grant of Northumbria Police confirmed that three separate calls were made within a short period, indicating the urgency of the situation. The police responded swiftly, deploying crews to search for David in the river. After a brief search, David’s body was located on the riverbed at 6:30 pm the same day. He was transported to the RVI via ambulance, where he was pronounced dead. The police also learned that someone had cut down the tree branch containing the swing overnight, despite requests to preserve the site for investigation. In the aftermath, friends of the boys left flowers and released hundreds of colorful balloons in tribute to the two young lives lost. The incident has prompted renewed discussions about water safety and the importance of supervision during recreational activities, especially during periods of extreme weather. Authorities have since extended heat health warnings to emphasize the dangers posed by high temperatures and the need for caution near bodies of water.