Second River Tyne death confirmed as police name boys who got into difficulty at Ovingham

David Radut, 14, and Aras Rudzianskas, 13, have been named as the boys who died after getting into difficulty in the River Tyne. Credit: Northumbria Police

A second boy has died after getting into difficulty in the River Tyne in Northumberland.

The teenagers were reported to be in trouble in the water at Ovingham at about 3.30pm on Saturday 18 May.

Emergency services carried out a large scale search and found the body of the 14-year-old, who was declared dead at the scene.

A second boy, aged 13, was rescued from the river and taken to hospital in a critical condition. Northumbria Police confirmed he died on Tuesday (21 May).

The force has identified the boys as David Radut, 14, and Aras Rudzianskas, 13, both of Newcastle.

Police tape along the banks of the River Tyne. Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

Chief Superintendent Sam Rennison, of Northumbria Police, said: “Our sincerest sympathies go to the loved ones of both boys and we will continue to provide whatever support we can at this devastating time.

“Since Saturday, our thoughts and those of the wider community have been with the families and friends of those affected.

“We would ask that the public continue to respect the privacy of the families both online and in the community.”

Emergency services on a road alongside the River Tyne near to Ovingham at the weekend. Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

The parents of both boys are being supported by specially-trained officers.

Nicu Ion, who works as a community leader in Fenham, in Newcastle, had known David from when he was a small child.

He told ITV Tyne Tees the schoolboy was "happy", "popular" and a "typical Geordie lad" whose death had shocked everyone who knew him.

Community leader Nicu Ion paid tribute to David Rabut

Mr Ion said David's family moved to Newcastle around 10 years ago, migrating from Romania. They settled in the West End of Newcastle and have lived there ever since.

He added that this was the first major tragedy to hit the community - something which had been compounded by David's young age.

"It's just hard to accept he is not with us anymore," Mr Ion explained.

"We are trying to support the community - to offer them the emotional support through our local churches, through our community hubs - just to provide that space where people can unite and find some peace, and acceptance of everything that's happened."

Pictures of David Radut on display at a community hub in the West End where a vigil has been held. Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

Two vigils have been held in Romanian since the teenager's death - on Sunday and Monday - and another is planned to be held in English this week.

It is the third death of a teenage boy on the same stretch of River Tyne in less than two years.

Robert Hattersley, 13, from Crawcrook, died after getting into trouble in the river on 17 July 2022.

Earlier this week Robert's family said news of the latest tragedy brought back painful memories.

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