Dad of boy, 13, who died in River Tyne urges parents to warn their kids about dangers of the water

Дата публикации: 25-07-2026 23:05:00

Carl Hattersley lost his son Robert after he got into difficulty in the river in Ovingham in Northumberland

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Carl Hattersley lost his son Robert after he got into difficulty in the river in Ovingham in Northumberland

The dad of a 13-year-old boy who drowned in the River Tyne has urged parents to warn their children about the dangers of the water. Carl Hattersley lost his son Robert after he got into difficulty while swimming with friends in the river in Ovingham in Northumberland.

Robert, from Crawcrook, Gateshead, was swept under by the current and those with him were unable to save him. His family waited for around six hours while the emergency services searched the water for him on July 17, 2022.

Police later gave them the heartbreaking news that he had been found and had passed away. Less than two years later, on May 18, 2024, David Ionut Radut, 14, and Aras Rudzianskas, 13, from Newcastle, died after getting into difficulty in the same stretch of river.

Aras went into the river to try and help David, who got into difficulty in the water, and they both lost their lives. Five sets of signs and rescue equipment have been installed along the river since the teens' deaths.

Last weekend, a man in his 20s died after getting into difficulty at Cullercoats Bay in North Tyneside. Earlier this month, two men died while helping two children who had got into difficulty in the sea at Seaton Carew beach in Hartlepool.

A 19-year-old man is also believed to have died in the water near Boulmer, Northumberland, after a kayak capsized. Carl has described the recent deaths as "upsetting" saying: "I give my condolences to all them families.

"I know what they're going through because I have lost a child myself. It's very sad that things like that are happening now."

The 52-year-old has urged parents to warn their children about the dangers of the water now that they are off school for the summer. He said: "You can lose a child through this. I have experience losing a child. It's the worst thing a parent can go through.

"Kids don't understand the dangers. They just go out and they don't understand how bad it is. We can't stop them but we need them to understand the dangers.

"I know they want to enjoy themselves during the hot weather. We understand they need to cool down, but they need to do it in a safe way and a safe environment.

"They go in and they think they can swim but they don't understand how strong these rivers are. Hopefully they can learn through the mistakes that have happened.

"Parents need to get more involved. Parents need to talk to their kids so a child is coming home to their parents and not losing their life. We want them to come home after that lovely experience."

It was the fourth anniversary of Robert's death earlier this month. Carl, who lives in Ryton, Gateshead, said: "It was four years since we lost Robert on the 17th July. It has been quite tough.

"He has been a big miss. When you miss somebody that bad and they're not here around you it's hard.

"It feels like yesterday but it happened four years ago. You think where has that time gone?

"He was a kind young son, he would help anybody out. He was loving and kind and he loved his sisters.

"He loved football. He was well known and he had lots of friends."

Carl previously launched The Robert Hattersley Foundation to raise awareness of water safety following his son's death. He wants to make children and adults aware of the 'Float to Live" technique in case they do get into difficulty in the water.

The RNLI say floating helps people to survive as it gives them the chance to rest and recover their breathing. Once they have regained control of their breathing, they can call for help or swim to safety.

Carl has also urged parents to consider buying their children a life jacket, if they are able to do so. He said: "Please stay safe around rivers and the sea. Don't go too far in. Stay a safe distance where someone can get to you.

"If you get into difficulty float like a star. Buy a life jacket if you can afford to."

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