QUICK-THINKING teenager Ben Keen saved the life of a young boy who had slipped into the fast-flowing waters of the River Irwell. Then the mystery child walked away!

Putting his own life at risk, Ben had waded out into the five-foot deep rapids at Burrs Country Park and dragged the terrified child to safety.

The Tottington High School pupil, who lives in Bolton Road, Bury, was with friends on Friday afternoon and they were trying to catch stickleback in the rock pools of the river when the boy, who was playing nearby, slipped on stepping stone into the deeper, white-water section.

Ben, aged 13, said: "I don't know who the lad was, and never even got to know his name after I had pulled him out, but I am sure he would have been swept down the river if I hadn't got to him quickly enough.

"The water at this particular section of the Irwell has a strong current. He was only about five years old and was struggling to get a foothold. I didn't really think about the consequences; I just jumped in the water and managed to get a hold of him. As I pulled him clear, a woman shouted to him to get out of the water. I don't think she realised what had so nearly happened."

Ben's father, Alex, said he was proud of his son's actions and added: "Two young boys died tragically at the weekend while playing in, or near, water. Ben acted responsibly, quickly and I believed prevented another tragedy."