A BOY leapt into the river to save his friend's life after he was pushed into the water.

Declan Brookes- Harper, 15, who goes to Norton College, near Worcester, saw his friend disappearing under the water at the River Stour.

Declan who has ADHD and Aspergers, quickly jumped into the river to rescue his friend, which he described an "impulse" reaction that he thought anyone would do.

He said: "We were all going down to the river as it was a hot day, to go and chill.

"We were going to go in the water but I wasn't sure about doing it.

"One of our group thought it would be funny to push him in.

"He started to sink as it was deeper than he thought and he screamed out. You could tell how scared he was because he screamed, rather than just shouting for help.

"I jumped in after. I think I was in the water about five minutes trying to get him to safety.

"I told him to get on my shoulders. The most important thing was to stay calm and to try to float.

"I started to swim towards the closest shore, but it was difficult so I swam the other way. I thought we might both die at one stage because it was a strong current.

"I didn't really think about being proud. I thought it was what anyone would do in this situation. I would definitely do it again if I was in the same situation."

Declan, from Hartlebury, also warned other people who were thinking of swimming in the river on hot days.

He said: "It is not a good idea. Anywhere there is a strong current is not a good idea to swim, except the seaside.

"It is deeper than it looks. I would not advise anybody to get in."

According to the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) 85 per cent of accidental drownings happen in open water, often due to a lack of understanding or awareness of the dangers at such locations.

The rescue happened at around 6pm on Wednesday April 18 near Discovery Road in Stourport. No emergency services were called.