Tragic River Incident Claims Two Young Lives
Aras Rudzianskas and David Radut encountered life-threatening difficulties in the River Tyne in 2024.
A coroner has commended the courage of a teenager who lost his life attempting to save a friend who fell into deep river water while swinging from a rope.
Aras Rudzianskas, aged 13, and David Radut, aged 14, both residents of Newcastle, died after experiencing trouble in the River Tyne at Ovingham, Northumberland, in May 2024.
At the inquest, assistant coroner Paul Dunn stated that if it were possible to formally record a verdict of "bravery" for Rudzianskas, he would have done so "without hesitation," emphasizing that Rudzianskas entered the water "without a thought" for his own safety.
Dunn also raised concerns about the delay of nearly two years in installing safety signs and equipment in the area following a prior fatality involving a teenager in 2022.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the river on 18 May 2024. David Radut was declared dead at the scene, while Aras Rudzianskas passed away in hospital three days later.
On the second day of the inquest held at County Hall in Morpeth, Dunn issued a narrative verdict regarding Rudzianskas's death.
Dunn described Rudzianskas's actions as among the bravest he had encountered in his 20 years as a coroner, noting that the teenager "gave the ultimate sacrifice selflessly" in his attempt to rescue his friend.
Regarding Radut, Dunn recorded a verdict of accidental death.
He explained that Radut "got into difficulties" after falling into deep water while swinging from a rope, marking his death as accidental. Dunn further stated he "suspected both boys were beyond saving within seconds of entering the river."
The two boys encountered difficulties near Ovingham Bridge in the River Tyne.
Safety Measures and Delays
Martin Kammeier, station manager at Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service, informed the inquest of a proposal to install a warning sign in the area following the death of Robert Hattersley, aged 13, in July 2022.
Kammeier explained that the "community risk management plan" was reviewed after Hattersley's death.
He added that the water safety program included 64 educational talks in schools and local organizations during 2024, doubling the number from the previous year.
Additionally, signs and water safety equipment, including rescue lines designed to assist in extracting individuals from the water, were planned for placement in high-risk locations.
Kammeier noted there was a proposal to install a sign stating "This water is dangerous do not enter!" at the exact location where the boys entered the water in 2024.
He expressed a "degree of frustration" that the sign had not been installed earlier, attributing the delay to resource constraints.
Sign Installation and Permissions
Rory Wilson from Northumberland Estates, which owns the riverbank section, testified that his organization granted permission for water safety signs to be installed on 19 April 2024, less than a month before the incident involving the boys.
Wilson stated that the company aimed to be "as helpful as possible" and understood it had never refused a request for safety signage.
Following the deaths of Rudzianskas and Radut, Kammeier reported that five additional sets of signs and rescue equipment were installed.
However, Dunn remarked that the two-year interval between the fatalities "seemed an inordinate amount length of time to erect signs."
Flowers were placed on the riverbank to honor the memory of the two teenagers.
Dunn also questioned why the newly installed safety signs did not reference the three deaths that had occurred in the area.
Kammeier responded that senior management advised against including such information to avoid causing distress to the families involved.
Local Authority Awareness and Response
Neil Dawson, countryside and green spaces manager at Northumberland County Council, stated at the inquest that the council was unaware of the rope swing used by Radut and Rudzianskas.
Dawson explained that the council does not inspect every part of the area but removes rope swings and the branches or limbs of trees from which they hang when they become aware of them.
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