Emergency services to hold water safety event on stretch of river where three teens died
The event aims at reduce the number of drownings in the River Tyne
Emergency services and community groups have organised a water safety day aimed at cutting the number of drownings in the River Tyne. The event will be held at Prudhoe, where three teenagers have lost their lives in recent years.
Robert Hattersley, from Crawcrook, was just 13 when he died in 2022 after an incident in the river between Prudhoe and Ovingham. In 2024, David Ionut Radut, 14, and Aras Rudzianskas, 13, both died after getting into difficulty on the same stretch of river.
A free event on July 5 will give youngsters the opportunity to learn about staying safe near water and how to use safety equipment. Tyne Valley Canoe Club instructors will also be on hand to help them get onto the water.
Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service, Mountain Rescue and the Police Marine Unit will be in attendance allowing visitors the opportunity to get up close to their emergency equipment and vehicles. The Prudhoe Youth Project is also organising a range of family-friendly activities.
Organiser Gemma Nixon, from the Prudhoe Youth Project, said: “Water safety and keeping young people safe down by the river is high on the agenda for many of us.
“Tragedy has struck this community with the loss of three young people over the past three years – and we all need to work together to make sure it never happens again. The river is a dangerous place, with strong currents, deep hollows and submerged hazards – and people should not be entering the water.
“Yet even after such recent horrific events, young people are still seen in the river and putting their lives at risk.”
Coun Angie Scott, who represents Prudhoe West and Mickley on Northumberland County Council, is all too aware of the dangers of the river at Prudhoe. As a teenager, she had to be pulled from the river after getting into difficulty.
The event follows a pilot event last year, which was the brainchild of Coun Scott and attracted a large number of young people and their families.
Coun Scott said: “Last year was a great success, with so many young people and their families attending from Prudhoe and further afield. This year’s event is bigger and better and we are hoping for an even larger number of attendees.
“Promoting river safety often involves community initiatives and education, fostering a sense of responsibility and collaboration among local organisations. I am so proud that Prudhoe Youth Project have taken on the task of organising this year’s event.
“It’s very important that we explain to everyone that entering water can be
dangerous, and I’m grateful to our wide range of supporters including
Northumberland County Council, local town and parish councils, Prudhoe Water World, the library, Family Hub and the Prudhoe Community Partnership.
“And I must also thank Essity for funding the event – helping us to make it free to attend as well as providing a free packed lunch for children.”
Essity is the town’s largest employer, producing tissue paper for toilet roll and kitchen towel on the banks of the Tyne.
A spokesman for the company said: “Water from the Tyne is an important part of our manufacturing operation. But we are also very aware of the dangers facing people entering the water without suitable training and safety equipment, and are delighted to be able to support Councillor Scott on this important initiative.”
The water safety event will take place on Saturday, July 5 from 11am until 3pm.
Water safety has become an increasing issue across the UK in recent years. According to the Royal Life Saving Society, there were 20 deaths in 2019/20, compared to 41 in 2022/23. Of these, 16 were below five-years-old while 15 were teenagers aged between 13 and 17.
The figures appear to show that there is more of an issue among young boys – 89 of the 125 young people who died between 2019 and 2023 were male. It should be noted that 51 of the children died in lakes, rivers and other inland water sources, while 35 died in a bath at home.