A MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF ATTEMPTED MURDER AFTER A BABY WAS THROWN INTO THE IRWELL IN RADCLIFFE

There was a huge emergency response after a baby was thrown from a bridge over the River Irwell in Radcliffe this evening.

The baby boy was rescued and given first aid by firefighters but he is said to be in a very serious and critical condition.

Multiple emergency service vehicles responded along with the forces helicopter.

Police have confirmed that a man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, he has been detained into custody for questioning. 

Unconfirmed accounts on social media have describe an argument between a man and a woman taking place before the man threw the child over the wall of the bridge into the river below, however, police say they are still investigating how he came to be in the water.

The man is then said to have walked into the nearby Lock Keeper public house and sat down on a chair where he was later arrested by police. The premises are currently closed.

Quote

 

"Shortly before 4.25pm today (Wednesday 11 September 2019), police were called to reports that a child was in the River Irwell.

"Emergency services attended and with the support of the police helicopter the child was retrieved and taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

"A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He remains in custody for questioning.

"Blackburn Street is currently closed at the junctions with Stand Lane and Radcliffe New Road."

 

A police cordon is in place at the bottom of Stand Lane going on to Blackburn Road

An investigation is underway and enquiries are ongoing.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting incident number 1930 of 11/09/2019, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.