Parents of boy who drowned in the River Tyne say death of teen brings back painful memories
13 year old Robert Hattersley died after getting into trouble at Ovingham on July 17, 2022.
Last updated 20th May 2024
The father of a boy who drowned in the River Tyne in Northumberland - the same stretch as a teenager on Saturday - said the incident has “brought back upsetting memories”.
13 year old Robert Hattersley, from Crawcrook, died after getting into trouble in the water at Ovingham on July 17, 2022.
On Saturday (18 May), a 14-year-old boy died in the same area while a 13-year-old boy is in a critical condition.
Robert’s father Carl said he wanted to send his condolences to the boy’s family:
"We just want to give them our love and support for the families affected. Our deepest condolences go out to them - we know what it's like to lose a young lad.
"We really hope the 13 year old who's fighting for his life pulls through."
Mr Hattersley continued:
"The families will be going through what we went through. It's a horror story.
"You don't think it's real. To this day, we think he (Robert) will walk through the door - our own son."
Robert’s family has since has set up a foundation in Robert's name to raise awareness of the dangers of open water swimming - it's called the Robert Hattersley Foundation.
Northumberland Police statement:
'Shortly after 3.30pm on Saturday (18 May), police were called out to the river near the bridge at Ovingham after receiving a report of concern for the welfare of two teenage boys.
'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.'