The region's emergency services are reminding people of the dangers of swimming in open water following the tragic death of a teenager in the River Tyne near Ovingham.
Shortly before 4.15pm on Sunday, officers received a report of concern for the welfare of a male who had come into trouble in the river near Ovingham. Today the boy who died was named as 13-year-old Robert Hattersley, from Crawcrook.
Teams from Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS), along with colleagues from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), Northumbria Police, HM Coastguard and Mountain Rescue were deployed to the area to assist with the search. And now the emergency services have outlined some measures to help improve safety in open water.
