A CORONER has opened and adjourned an inquest into the death of a schoolboy who was swept away while fishing on the River Leven near Yarm.

David Steel, 16, of Norton Road, Norton, Teesside, was with friends and had enjoyed a barbecue and cans of pop when tragedy struck on Saturday.

They had been camping on the banks of the river when he fell into the icy water, which was swollen by heavy rain.

One of the boys raised the alarm by phoning David's father, Raymond Steel, 54, a retired process worker, of St Crispin's Court, Stockton, who called the fire brigade.

A major rescue operation was launched including police and ambulance crews but firefighters found the boy unconscious in the water and could not save his life.

He was rushed to the University Hospital of North Tees but died in the early hours of Sunday.

His mother, Christine Steel, 45, a shop worker, who lived with David at their Norton Road home, gave evidence of identification to Teesside coroner Michael Sheffield yesterday and a certificate of death was issued.

The family were too upset to talk about the accident last night.

Arrangements are being made for their son's cremation.