A MOTHER last night urged all parents to warn their children about the dangers of mixing alcohol with open water after her son ended up in hospital with hypothermia.

The 15-year-old was found unconscious on rocks in the middle of the River Tees near Broken Scar picnic area in Darlington on Thursday evening.

Emergency services were called to the scene and the boy was taken to hospital, where he is now recovering.

But with many young people expected to socialise around lakes and rivers in the North-East this Easter weekend due to the hot weather forecast, the teenager’s mother has shared an image of her son in hospital to highlight the dangers of teenagers drinking and playing in water.

It is believed the boy had drunk about a litre of vodka.

The Northern Echo:

Broken Scar on the edge of Darlington Picture: David Taylor/NECC

The mother, who has asked to remain anonymous, said the teenager has now admitted how “stupid and dangerous” his and his friends’ actions were, and is hoping others will take note of the warning.

“It is so hard especially when it comes to teenagers, but they have to realise it is dangerous enough to play in rivers, but even more so when they have been drinking,” she said.

“He is okay now thank goodness, but it could have been so much worse, it is unthinkable.

“If it was one of my friends, I would have pulled them by the hair to get them away from the river.

“Going into the water anytime, anywhere is dangerous, I say to anyone please don’t do it.”

In a separate incident on the same day, police in Darlington said they were investigating reports that youths had been “recklessly” throwing rocks from the river at Broken Scar into the car park area.

On once occasion, a rock had narrowly missed a small child who was with her mother.

A spokesperson for Darlington Police said: “At approximately 3.15pm on Thursday, April 18, damage has been caused to the rear window of a vehicle parked at Broken Scar picnic area, Darlington.

“It is believed that damage has been caused by some youths who were recklessly throwing rocks from the river into the car park area, narrowly missing a small child who was with her mother.

“If anybody can provide any information regarding their identification please contact Durham Police on 101 and quote incident reference DHM-18042019-0245.”