This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/7877860.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Boy 'tried to save' ice friend Boy 'tried to save' ice friend
(1 day later)
An eight-year-old boy has described the moment he tried to save his six-year-old friend who fell through ice on a fishing pond near Pontefract.An eight-year-old boy has described the moment he tried to save his six-year-old friend who fell through ice on a fishing pond near Pontefract.
Ben Newell and his 12-year-old brother, Dylan, had been on the ice near Red Lane in Streethouse when it cracked, sending them both into the water below.Ben Newell and his 12-year-old brother, Dylan, had been on the ice near Red Lane in Streethouse when it cracked, sending them both into the water below.
Dylan was pulled from the pond but despite desperate efforts to rescue Ben from the water he later died.Dylan was pulled from the pond but despite desperate efforts to rescue Ben from the water he later died.
Joshua Powell said he tied a jumper round the tree and passed it to Ben.Joshua Powell said he tied a jumper round the tree and passed it to Ben.
In a tearful interview, the youngster said: "I got a big tree and I tied my jumper round it... and passed it to Ben.. but he let go."In a tearful interview, the youngster said: "I got a big tree and I tied my jumper round it... and passed it to Ben.. but he let go."
Kevin Smith was out walking with his 11-year-old son Daniel when they heard screams coming from the pond on Saturday.Kevin Smith was out walking with his 11-year-old son Daniel when they heard screams coming from the pond on Saturday.
"We were taking coats off, using dog leads, anything to try and create a rope Local resident Kevin Smith"We were taking coats off, using dog leads, anything to try and create a rope Local resident Kevin Smith
He was one of the the local rescuers who tried to pull Ben above the water before the emergency services arrived.He was one of the the local rescuers who tried to pull Ben above the water before the emergency services arrived.
Mr Smith said: "There was this kid who was about 11 or 12 years old and he was through the ice with his neck and his hands on the side of the ice. He was shouting 'get me out'.Mr Smith said: "There was this kid who was about 11 or 12 years old and he was through the ice with his neck and his hands on the side of the ice. He was shouting 'get me out'.
"We just started ripping branches off and trying to get the branches out to him.""We just started ripping branches off and trying to get the branches out to him."
Mr Smith, from nearby Sharlston, added: "Some people came then and we were taking coats off, using dog leads, anything to try and create a rope.Mr Smith, from nearby Sharlston, added: "Some people came then and we were taking coats off, using dog leads, anything to try and create a rope.
"At some point the boy said his brother was down below, underneath."At some point the boy said his brother was down below, underneath.
"One of the guys said, 'I can feel something, I think I've got him'. It was all systems go trying to pull him out.""One of the guys said, 'I can feel something, I think I've got him'. It was all systems go trying to pull him out."
Local residents tried to reach Ben but the ice was too thick Joshua said his friend Ben was a "good person"
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue pulled Dylan from the water using throw lines, but were only able to reach his brother when six firefighters using specialist water rescue equipment waded into the water.West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue pulled Dylan from the water using throw lines, but were only able to reach his brother when six firefighters using specialist water rescue equipment waded into the water.
Ben was airlifted to Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, but was pronounced dead at 1905 GMT.Ben was airlifted to Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, but was pronounced dead at 1905 GMT.
His brother was taken to the same hospital where he is believed to be well but suffering from the effects of the cold water.His brother was taken to the same hospital where he is believed to be well but suffering from the effects of the cold water.
Rick Hemingway, Wakefield assistant district manager, warned about the dangers of playing on ice.Rick Hemingway, Wakefield assistant district manager, warned about the dangers of playing on ice.
"I can't emphasise enough the deceptive dangers of frozen water. Temperatures have been very cold recently, the ice is extremely thin and breaks easily," he said."I can't emphasise enough the deceptive dangers of frozen water. Temperatures have been very cold recently, the ice is extremely thin and breaks easily," he said.
"Ponds, rivers and canals are not playgrounds and even though the snow and icy conditions may look inviting to children, there is no such thing as safe ice.""Ponds, rivers and canals are not playgrounds and even though the snow and icy conditions may look inviting to children, there is no such thing as safe ice."