A FATHER spoke this afternoon of his pride and relief after his son helped rescue two youngsters from an icy lake in York.

James Hyde and another 15-year-old risked their lives to go into Rawcliffe Lake to bring a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old to safety during the incident last night.

Firefighters called to the lake off Eastholme Drive put the freezing youngsters into the cab of their vehicle and gave them blankets until ambulance crews arrived.

Three of the boys were taken to hospital suffering the effects of the cold and minor cuts due to the ice. A fourth left the scene before paramedics arrived.

A fire service spokeswoman said firefighters were called to the scene at 8.23pm, taking two pumps and a rescue boat, but the teenagers were out of the lake by the time they arrived. She said two teenagers had fallen through the ice on the lake.

James' father Simon, of Headley Close, Rawcliffe, said today he was "very proud" of his son.

"I couldn't believe it when I heard James had been in the water. I had warned him about it just a few days ago, but when I heard the circumstances I was very proud, and obviously relieved as well."

Updated: 16:42 Friday, January 10, 2003