Parents mourn son's river death

Martin Moriarty's parents did not know he had gone to the deep pool

The parents of a boy who drowned in a Borders river have spoken about the circumstances of his death.

Martin Moriarty, 13, died in the Junction Pool on the River Tweed, near Kelso, on Sunday at about 1830 BST.

His father, Andrew, said their son had gone to play with friends but would not have been allowed out if they had known he was going to the deep water pool.

The family has called for funds to be raised to pay for a guard to be stationed on that stretch of river.

The Cobby area where the River Teviot flows into the Tweed is known locally for its deep pools and strong undercurrents.

It is understood they pulled Martin under the waters while he was swimming with three friends.

His body was recovered by emergency services about an hour later.

We are still trying to establish exactly what happened but apparently Martin got dragged underneath by the strong undercurrents which are lethal Andrew Moriarty

His parents Andrew and Ann, who moved to Scotland from Ireland 11 months ago, said they had warned Martin not to go into the water at the pool.

They have now called for funds to be raised to pay for a guard at the stretch of the river because it is so dangerous.

Mr Moriarty, 48, of Hendersyde Park, Kelso, said: "We had been to the beach at Berwick in the afternoon for an enjoyable family day out.

"When we got back Martin said he was going out to play with some friends, two boys and a girl, but we had no idea he was going down to the Junction Pool.

"If we knew that he would not have been allowed."

He said it was not yet entirely clear how the accident had occurred.

The teenager drowned after getting into difficulties on the River Tweed

"We are still trying to establish exactly what happened but apparently Martin got dragged underneath by the strong undercurrents which are lethal," he said.

"His friends managed to get out but Martin was swept away and it was an hour later when they found him."

A post-mortem examination is due to take place in connection with the drowning of the Kelso High School pupil.

Sgt Eddie Kelly, of Lothian and Borders Police, said there were no suspicious circumstances and the incident was being treated as a tragic accident.

He added: "During periods of hot weather the temptation is there to enter bodies of water that look safe.

"But they often present unseen hazards in terms of sudden immersion into cold water which saps energy.

"We would ask people to stay out of the water."