Image caption Declan Shanley drowned after going to the aid of a friend

A 13-year-old boy has drowned after jumping into a river to save a friend.

Declan Shanley, from Summerston in Glasgow, was swept away by a strong current in the River Kelvin, near the West of Scotland Science Park.

He had gone to the aid of a friend who had strayed into deep water in an area known locally as the beach.

The girl was able to get back to shore. However, Declan, described by his head teacher as a "popular boy", was pronounced dead in hospital.

The friends had been playing in shallow water at about 1830 BST on Saturday when the girl got into trouble.

Declan, a pupil at the John Paul Academy in Glasgow, and another boy, jumped in to help her but Declan was swept away.

'Brave wee boy'

An extensive search and rescue operation, involving police, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and a helicopter, later found Declan in the water about 2030 BST.

He was taken by ambulance to the city's Western Infirmary but pronounced dead on arrival.

A message posted on the internet tribute site Gone Too Soon, described Declan as a "much-loved" family member.

It added: "He will be sadly missed but in our hearts forever. Declan we all love and miss u so much."

Declan's head teacher Vincent Docherty said: "I know everyone at the school will be shocked and saddened by this tragic news.

"Declan was a lovely boy, popular and full of life, who will be very sadly missed by all who knew him.

"Our thoughts and prayers are obviously very much with his family and friends at this time and we shall be supporting them in any way we can."

Ch Insp Grahame Clarke described the youngster as a "very brave wee boy" but warned others of the dangers of playing in or around water.

He said: "This was a tragic accident.

"Declan had been out all day with his friends playing by the sandy area, known locally as 'the beach'.

"They had all been in the shallow water, but one of the children fell into the deeper water and got into difficulty.

"Declan and one of his friends jumped in to help, but Declan got into difficulty and was swept away by the strong current.

"Declan was a very brave wee boy, who died trying to rescue his friend."