Boy rescued from river

EMERGENCY crews used cutting gear and hand tools to free a schoolboy who got stuck in the river at Mountain Ash on Monday afternoon.

A YOUNG boy got stuck in a river in Mountain Ash for nearly two hours after impaling his foot.

Emergency crews used cutting gear and hand tools to help free the 12-year-old, who got stuck in the River Cynon in Mountain Ash.

The drama unfolded just after 5.20pm on Monday.

The boy was taken to hospital in Bridgend.

His condition was not known.

South Wales Police said the incident highlighted the potential dangers from jumping into rivers and called on parents to educate their children on the dangers of rivers.

A spokesman said: “A quick response by all with a positive outcome.

“Please don’t swim or jump into the river, you can’t see how deep or what is below you.”

Fire rescue teams from Aberdare, Pontypridd, Ebbw Vale and Barry all helped out at the scene.

The Welsh Air Ambulance were also sent to the scene.

Over the weekend, there were warnings that children were ignoring signs not to jump into water next to two huge turbines.

The recent good weather has seen a rise in the number of people swimming in local rivers.