IT is with great sadness that we report the death of 14-year-old Cameron Gosling who drowned in the River Wear, near Bishop Auckland, at the weekend.

There have been far too many river deaths in recent years and The Northern Echo had no hesitation in playing an active role in the riverside safety campaign in Durham City which followed a spate of drownings amongst the student fraternity.

The loss of Cameron – described by his teachers as a popular and lively character – shows again that it is important to highlight the dangers of swimming in rivers. It may seem safe on the surface but hidden under-currents can prove deadly, even for experienced swimmers.

We can all do our bit to hammer home the message about the need for care to be taken – but there also has to be an acceptance that accidents happen.

Rivers will always be an attraction to youngsters in the summer heat and it is impossible for the danger to be removed completely.

It is one thing to put in place safety measures in a city environment with a collection of riverside bars and a large volume of students – it is quite another to expect that the countryside can be subject to the same kind of scrutiny.

Exploring the countryside, being adventurous and having fun is part of childhood. How many of us haven't taken the odd risk while having a good time?

Parents can spell out the dangers, authorities can ensure there is life-saving equipment at the most popular beauty spots, and the media can spread the word about safety – but accidents will still happen.

Our thoughts are with Cameron's family.