A MODEST teenage hero saved the lives of a woman and her four-year-old son when he dragged them from the swollen River Severn in Bewdley. Matt Gore at the scene of the rescue

The quick-thinking actions of Matt Gore averted a double tragedy - but then he slipped away from the scene, leaving most onlookers unaware of his identity.

Even the woman - who had gone to the aid of her four-year-old son after he had fallen into the water while feeding the ducks on Severnside South - was not told the name of the young man who came to their rescue.

She just had time to thank him before mum and child were whisked away by ambulance to Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester.

Matt, a 19-year-old labourer who lives on Severnside South, said: "I don't feel like a hero. I don't want praise. It was just instinct.

"Someone had to do something or they would have drowned."

But neighbour Sandra Vaux said: "I certainly think he deserves an award for his actions.

"It was a very brave thing to do. The river was running very high and the current was strong. It is a very dangerous river."

The unassuming teenager's Bank Holiday Saturday chatting with friends under the arches of the town bridge turned to drama just after midday.

There was a commotion a few yards downstream and when he went to investigate he saw a woman and child struggling in the water.

The river was running more than 5ft above normal due to recent rain, but he jumped in fully clothed and quickly made his way to them.

The teenager, who has lived in the town for 17 years, said: "She was struggling to keep him up and both went under the water several times.

"A man who had apparently got a heart condition had waded out so far but he had to stop when the water came up to his waist.

"Five or six people were stood watching but no-one seemed to be doing anything so I just jumped in and grabbed the little lad and brought him back to the chap who had waded out.

"Then I grabbed the woman and pulled her back to the man too."

The water was about 8ft deep at that spot and he had no time to take off his tracksuit or shoes.

"I lost some rings and some sovereigns on a chain around my neck, but that didn't matter. Jewellery can be replaced - a little lad's life cannot," he said.

The former Stourport High School pupil, who also attended St Anne's First and Middle schools, described himself as only an average swimmer.

"I can swim but not that well. The current was very strong and if they had been any further out in the river, I could not have coped with it. It was all over in a few minutes but I didn't expect the water to be so cold."

He was shaken up by the incident and a neighbour later took him to hospital for a check-up.

The brave teenager said: "I can remember wondering what my mother would think of me going into the river."

Mum Sharon Gore, of Kidderminster, was telephoned at work but was given only sketchy details of the riverside drama.

Matt said: "She came straightaway to Bewdley to see if I was alright.

"I think she was crying with relief and said she was so proud of me."

Neighbour Mrs Vaux was on her way to the shops with her 14-year-old granddaughter Emma moments after the rescue.

The part-time hairdresser said: "I noticed a lady cuddling a little boy and they were both soaking wet.

" I sent Emma back home to get them something dry to wrap them in.

"I understand the boy lost his balance as he was feeding the ducks and fell in. The woman then went in to try and save him.

"But I don't think most people realised what was going on until the ambulance arrived."

It is understood the woman and her son, who have not been named, were discharged from hospital on Saturday afternoon after a routine check-up.