A 14-year-old boy has died and a 13-year-old boy is in a critical condition after getting into difficulty in the River Tyne at Ovingham on Saturday, Northumbria Police said.
A large emergency response was hailed to the river in Northumbria after the incident and the younger boy was taken to hospital for urgent treatment.
Northumbria Police confirmed on Sunday morning that the 14-year-old had died and the younger boy is fighting for his life.
A statement said: “A boy has sadly died after getting into difficulty in the River Tyne at Northumberland.
“Shortly after 3.30pm yesterday (Saturday), police received a report of concern for the welfare of two teenage boys who were in the river near the bridge at Ovingham.
“Emergency services were immediately deployed to the area and one of the boys, aged 13, was rescued from the water.
“He was taken to hospital where he currently remains in a critical condition.
“A number of organisations conducted a thorough search of the area in a bid to locate the second boy.
“Sadly, the 14-year-old's body was later found in the water and he was pronounced dead at the scene.”
It is understood the boys were friends and from different families.
The parents of both boys are being supported by specially-trained officers, police said.
Chief Superintendent Helena Barron, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is an absolutely tragic incident and our thoughts are with the families of both boys at this difficult time as we continue to support them.
“A number of agencies were involved in the incident and their support was hugely appreciated.
“It is with great sadness that we could not provide a more positive update.”
