Inquiry into boy's river death

Rhys Jones died after being swept away in the River Ebbw

Police have begun an inquiry into how a 12-year-old boy died after being caught up in a swollen river.

Rhys Jones and three friends were playing near the River Ebbw at Rhiwderin, near Newport, on Saturday when they were swept away.

One of the boys managed to get out and tell a farmer that his friends were in danger.

A major operation involving all emergency services was launched and two of the boys were found on the river bank.

But despite the efforts of two police officers who pulled Rhys from the water, he was pronounced dead at the Royal Gwent Hospital, in Newport.

Inspector Jim Baker, of Gwent Police, said it was too early to say what the boys were doing so close to the river.

He added: "There is rumour and speculation.

The river was swollen by heavy rain before the accident

"However, we will be conducting an inquiry into what happened over the next few days, first of all allowing the three boys time to recover from what's happened.

"We'll be speaking to them at a later date."

The farmer who called emergency services, George Proctor, described how the boy who escaped the river raised the alarm.

He said: "That lad had the gumption to get hold of a branch (and) pull himself out of the water.

"He got up a bank 60ft high, crossed a field, climbed through a hedge and he staggered to me.

"He couldn't even talk because he was in shock.

"It's a miracle that any of them got out of there."

Police have issued a warning to other youngsters to keep away from the river.

The headmaster at Bassaleg Comprehensive - where Rhys was a pupil - has said that counselling will be made available for his classmates.