Tragic River Tyne Drowning: Heroic 14-Year-Old David Radut Dies Saving Friend
Heartbreak in Northumberland as 14-year-old David Radut drowned trying to rescue his 13-year-old friend in the River Tyne. The boys were playing on a rope swing in the village of Ovingham when fun turned fatal.
Attempted Rescue Ends in Disaster
David plunged into the river after his younger friend struggled to stay afloat. Emergency services pulled the 13-year-old from the water and rushed him to hospital in critical condition. Tragically, David’s body was later recovered by rescue crews.
Local Community Pays Tribute
- Friends and villagers laid flowers at the scene to honour David’s bravery.
- Friend Millie Weatherson posted a touching message on Facebook: “Rest easy David Radut until we meet again… forever a big miss.”
- The rope swing tree was cut down for safety, by firefighters—not the council—as a precaution.
Another Heartbreaking Tragedy on the River Tyne
This marks the second fatal incident in this area in less than a year. In July 2022, 13-year-old Robert Hattersley also lost his life in the river. Robert’s father Carl shared his pain with David’s family, saying, “It’s upsetting that they’ve lost their little son. It’s brought back memories of what we have gone through.”
Emergency crews, including ambulance, police, fire and rescue teams, descended on the scene with boats and helicopters during the rescue efforts on Saturday afternoon. The 13-year-old remains in hospital as the community mourns this devastating loss.
