THE MOTHER of a teenager who helped save two children from a lake says she is ‘extremely proud’ of him and his friends for their ‘amazing’ efforts.

Philip Gooderham, 53, died after ‘getting into difficulties’ at Llyn Tegid Lake, Bala, on May 28.

During the same incident, Liam Owen, 16, and his friends Osian Evans, 15, and Daniel Zhen, 16, managed to rescue two children, a boy aged five and girl aged two, from danger.

Liam’s mum Melanie, who lives in the town, says the trio had planned to go out fishing for the day, but with the lake itself closed due to coronavirus restrictions, had headed further along to the Llanycil part where the incident took place.

Melanie said: “When I got the call that afternoon, I was full of panic at first as when you hear the words ‘son’, ‘lake’ and ‘police’, you tend to think the worst.

“I just remember so many thoughts rushing through my head and I don’t even recall driving to the police station.

“When we got there and saw Liam and his friends we just wanted to give them all a big hug. When we heard of what they had done, we were and still are extremely proud.”

Melanie says the boys had spotted people on the lake who appeared to be in danger and proceeded to tell a woman, believed to be related, who was sat nearby.

The boys acted quickly, taking a rubber ring off the wall before Liam and Daniel made their way into the lake to help the children, while Osian contacted emergency services.

They had also tried to help Mr Gooderham, of Deeside, who was recovered from the water and taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital in Bangor by air ambulance.

Despite the best efforts of the boys and medics at the scene, he was pronounced dead sometime later.

Melanie added: “They did the absolute best they could in a terrible situation. What they have done is amazing and they’re all heroes in our eyes. They very bravely, without a thought for themselves, jumped in to help save the children. They were all shook-up after it but would like to thank all the emergency services who were amazing.

“Thanks also to the Bala Doctor’s and school for getting in touch to offer continued support. We are very grateful for all the messages.

“As parents we are all so proud of our boys and are deeply saddened and send condolences to Mr Gooderham’s family.”

Melanie also thanked Tim Williams, owner of the Wales national football team inspired Spirit of 58 shop in Bala, who, as a token of appreciation for the boys' efforts, gave them all a shirt and hat each.