A WORCESTER teenager has been recommended for a police award following his "valiant" attempts to rescue a drowning friend.

Brave Jack Woolley made repeated attempts to find 14-year-old Nathan Spiers after the teenager disappeared underwater at Lower Heath Fisheries as he swam out to retrieve a fishing float on Monday, July 8.

Worcestershire coroner Victor Round told yesterday's inquest how Nathan had been fishing with Jack, aged 14, and another friend that evening when the teenager decided to retrieve a lost float.

He said that Nathan had reached the float, but then got into difficulties as he tried to swim back to the side and shouted for help.

"Jack swam over and went under water a number of times to find Nathan without any success," said Mr Round.

"He then came out again and gave his phone to a friend who called the emergency services while Jack got back into the water in another attempt to find Nathan."

The inquest, held at Stourport-on-Severn's coroner's court, also heard how brothers Paul and Martin Rice, who were also fishing at the lake, jumped into the pool to help.

Worcester police have also recommended the pair, who live in Selly Oak, Birmingham, for bravery awards.

Martin spent 25 minutes in the water, wearing only his boxer shorts looking for Nathan, despite the freezing temperatures.

Resuscitate

Fire crews, using the brigade's inflatable rescue boat, found Nathan's body and emergency crews attempted to resuscitate the teenager at the scene.

But he was pronounced dead after being rushed to the city's Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

"Martin and his brother Paul made extremely brave efforts, as did young Jack," said Mr Round.

"It was a persistent effort by all three and a very valiant attempt to find Nathan."

Mr Round added that the cause of the teenager's difficulties had not been established, but added the water was extremely cold which could have caused cramp.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded.