THEIR lives crossed paths nearly 50 years ago when a teenager saved a young boy from drowning in a raging river.

But after that eventful day they never saw each other again -- until now.

Thanks to the Daily Echo, Tony Wharton has been reunited with the youngster he pulled from Bartley Water in Totton 48 years ago.

Now 56, George Longworth was just nine at the time of the daring rescue.

He read a story in the Echo about Tony trying to trace the boy and realised it was himself. Explaining what happened that cold winter afternoon in 1957, George said he and some friends had been visiting a deserted house on their way home.

"When we were crossing the river on the way home, the water level had risen quite a bit and was lapping the girders," he said.

"I don't know how but I just went down into the water and thought that was it."

He was swept down the river, losing strength as he went.

Then 13, Tony saw the struggling boy, climbed a tree that overhung the river and managed to grab George as he passed under.

Now 61, Tony, was stunned to hear from George. "I'm just amazed and delighted to hear he is safe and well. I never heard or saw the boy again, so this is the best news," he said.

The rescue prompted Tony, from Ashurst, to start taking swimming lessons whereas George has been afraid of water ever since.

He said: "We still used to play along the river after the accident but I never got too close. My experience put me off swimming."

The two men were reunited at the spot where a potential tragedy was averted.

Tony said: "So much has changed there and the bridge is gone. Apparently some children drowned at the spot but I now know it wasn't the boy I saved."