'Brave' boy died trying to save friend in river
SuppliedA coroner has praised the bravery of a teenager who died trying to save his friend who fell into deep river water while swinging from a rope.
Aras Rudzianskas, 13, and David Radut, 14, both from Newcastle, got into difficulties in the River Tyne at Ovingham, Northumberland, on 18 May 2024.
Assistant coroner Paul Dunn told their inquest that if he had been able to record a conclusion of "bravery" in the case of Aras he would have done so "without hesitation", adding he went in the water "without a thought" for his own safety.
He also questioned why it had taken almost two years for safety signs and equipment to be erected in the area after a teenager died there in 2022.
A verdict of accidental death was recorded for David, who died at the scene, while a narrative verdict was given for Aras who died three days later.
Dunn said Aras had performed one of the bravest acts he had seen recorded "in 20 years as a coroner", adding he "gave the ultimate sacrifice selflessly" while attempting to save his friend.
The coroner said David he had "got into difficulties" after he fell into deep water while swinging from a rope.
He told the inquest this "marks his death as an accident", adding he "suspected both boys were beyond saving within seconds of entering the river".
Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service station manager Martin Kammeier told the inquest there had been a proposal to install a sign in the area after Robert Hattersley, 13, also died there in July 2022, and there was a "degree of frustration" that it had not been installed earlier but resourcing was a "constraint".
He said a water safety programme, included 64 talks in schools and local organisations during 2024, double the number the previous year.
Signs and water safety equipment, including rescue lines which could assist with dragging people out of the water, were also to be placed in high risk areas along with a warning sign at "exactly" the place the boys entered the water in 2024.
Rory Wilson from Northumberland Estates, which owns the section of river bank, told the inquest his organisation had given permission for water safety signs to be installed in the area on 19 April 2024, less than a month before the boys died.
Five additional sets of signs and rescue equipment were installed following the deaths of Aras and David, Kammeier said.
However, Dunn said the two years between the tragedies "seemed an inordinate amount length of time to erect signs".
Dunn asked Kammeier why the safety signs which were subsequently installed did not mention there had been three deaths in the area.
Kammerier said he was "advised by senior managers not to do it in case it caused distress to families".
Neil Dawson, countryside and green spaces manager at Northumberland County Council, told the inquest the authority was not aware of the rope swing David and Aras used.
He said the council does not "inspect every last inch" of the area, but would remove rope swings and "the branch and limb" of trees they were suspended from as they became aware of them.
Dunn ordered a prevention of future deaths report which would be sent to the council, the fire service and Northumberland Estates.
Such reports are sent when a coroner thinks action is needed to protect lives.
He said the deaths of three young people in one section of the river over two years was "just too much in my judgement" and "insufficient action had been carried out" after Robert Hattersley's death.
Dunn said warning signs in the area should highlight the number of people who had lost their lives nearby and people should be "told of the risks in that river".
He also said Northumberland Estates should take a more direct responsibility for the riverbank "in terms of its safety".
