A TEENAGER who got into difficulties in a Redditch river died as a result of an accident, a coroner has ruled.

Richard Fellows, aged 15, from Brockhill, who attended Trinity High School, died after getting into trouble when swimming with two friends in the River Arrow in Redditch on March 16 this year.

Emergency services rescued the teenager about two hours after the alarm was raised at about 12.20pm, but he later died in hospital.

His two teenage friends were also rescued and treated for minor injuries at the scene.

The medical cause of death was given as death due to drowning.

Following his death, his family urged for other youngsters to take care around water and are backing the Royal Society UK's national campaign Drowning Prevention Week, taking place from June 21-29.

Speaking of the campaign, his heartbroken dad, also called Richard, said: "If he could warn people of the dangers, he would, which is why we want to raise awareness of our story through Drowning Prevention Week.

"If we can save just one life and prevent another family going through what we have, it will be worth it."

For more details, see drowningpreventionweek.org.uk.