A SCHOOLBOY is recovering after being rescued from an icy river by his quick-thinking pal.

Jacob Sunter, 11, was pulled out of the river at Roberts Park, Saltaire, by his friend Jake Drew.

The pair were on their way home from Titus Salt school when Jacob fell into the water on Wednesday.

Jacob’s mum Terri-Anne Murgatroyd said Jake, also 11, was a hero for pulling her son out of the freezing water.

“I think he got caught in some kind of cross-fire between some boys and fell in the river,” she said. “I have reported it to the school and to the police.

“Luckily my son had his friend with him. It could have ended up a lot worse, I dread to think what could have happened.

“Jacob couldn’t get hold of anything as he fell in. There was nothing to grab. He was scared, cold and wet. His friend had to sit on the side with his own feet in the water to help him out. He’s a hero. His mum is dead proud of him too.”

Jacob’s family are now planning a special thank-you to Jake in the New Year.

“We’re not sure what we’ll do yet but we want to do something as a thank-you,” said Ms Murgatroyd.

Jake told his soaked friend to take off his dripping coat straight away and gave him his dry coat to put on instead, before walking him home to Windhill.

The deputy head teacher at Titus Salt, Richard Foster, said staff advised pupils not to walk close to waterways as it could be dangerous.

West Yorkshire Police are investigating how Jacob ended up in the water.

A police spokesman said an incident was reported to them at 4.45pm on December 13 and they were investigating.

ROSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) recommends ways rescuers can help anyone who has fallen into icy water without putting themselves at risk.

They say to call 999 and do not go onto any ice, tell the casualty to keep still to save heat and energy and try to find something like a branch, rope or piece of clothing to reach out while lying down on the bank or getting someone else to hold on to you while trying to pull the person out of the water.

“If you cannot find something with which to perform a reach or throw rescue, try to find something that will float to throw or push out to them. Through your rescue keep off the ice, continue to reassure the casualty and keep them talking until help arrives.”

Once out of the water, the casualty will need to be kept warm and be treated for shock, and should be taken to hospital even if they appear to be unaffected, says ROSPA.