A TEENAGER risked his life in a vain battle to save his drowning friend who fell into a river, an inquest heard.

Fifteen-year-old Stephen Hughes dived into the swollen River Leven, near Yarm, on Teesside, to try to rescue David Steel, 16.

The inquest heard how Stephen acted without thinking about the consequences to himself but was unable to save the Stockton teenager.

Deputy Teesside Coroner Gordon Hetherington said: "He went into the river with no thought for his own safety.

"His efforts were rewarded to the extent he was able to lay hold of David's hood or hair. For some seconds, Stephen had hold of him."

The youngster tried his best to prevent David being swept away but the current proved too strong.

Mr Hetherington said the fishing trip should have been 'a night of fun and adventure' for the friends from Teesside, who had camped out near the river.

Stephen's brother, Andrew, then aged 14, said in a written statement that he had been at the water's edge when he heard a splash.

He saw David 'spinning around', going under then bobbing up to the surface.

Another friend, Aaron Kirton, 13, thought David was 'messing about'.

Stephen had been putting up the group's tents when, after hearing the cries of the two boys on the riverbank, he jumped into the icy water.

Firefighter Stephen Collishaw wept as he told how he went into the river and found David's body, 400 metres from where he had fallen in.

Mr Hetherington said: "It doesn't take a lot of imagination: the coldness of the water and the strength of the current and problems trying to keep a footing on the river bed would have all made it impossible to get out of the water.''

The inquest heard that the boys had set up rods to start fishing at first light the next morning, when David decided to try to catch a fish, even though it was dark.

David's mother, shop assistant Christine Boston, who lived with him in Norton Avenue, said he was a strong swimmer who lived for fishing and was fearless of water.

Recording a verdict of death by accident, Mr Hetherington said David had been too close to the water's edge or peering into the river when he lost his balance.