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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Girl falls into underground drain | Girl falls into underground drain |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| A father saved his three-year-old daughter from "certain death" after she was sucked into a storm drain and thrown out into a swollen river. | A father saved his three-year-old daughter from "certain death" after she was sucked into a storm drain and thrown out into a swollen river. |
| Police said the girl travelled about 50 yards (46m) underground before being swept into the River Wear, near Durham Cricket ground, on Sunday evening. | Police said the girl travelled about 50 yards (46m) underground before being swept into the River Wear, near Durham Cricket ground, on Sunday evening. |
| Her father, from Leeming, North Yorkshire, plunged into the water and pulled her to safety. | Her father, from Leeming, North Yorkshire, plunged into the water and pulled her to safety. |
| Officers said the girl "miraculously" avoided serious injury. | Officers said the girl "miraculously" avoided serious injury. |
| The youngster was playing with her father and family dog in a deep puddle at a playground in Riverside Park, Chester-le-Street, when the freak accident happened. | The youngster was playing with her father and family dog in a deep puddle at a playground in Riverside Park, Chester-le-Street, when the freak accident happened. |
| It is believed the storm drain cover, which had been under about 8in (20.3cm) of water, was pushed off by a sudden release of water pressure. | It is believed the storm drain cover, which had been under about 8in (20.3cm) of water, was pushed off by a sudden release of water pressure. |
| Hospital check | Hospital check |
| The boxer dog, which was also sucked into the drain, is still missing. | The boxer dog, which was also sucked into the drain, is still missing. |
| Sgt Keith Wardle, of Durham Police, said: "Fortunately when the girl and her dog disappeared her dad quickly realised what was happening. | Sgt Keith Wardle, of Durham Police, said: "Fortunately when the girl and her dog disappeared her dad quickly realised what was happening. |
| "He ran to the river bank and plucked her from the swollen river." | "He ran to the river bank and plucked her from the swollen river." |
| The girl was treated for hypothermia at the scene and taken to the University Hospital of North Durham for overnight observation. | The girl was treated for hypothermia at the scene and taken to the University Hospital of North Durham for overnight observation. |
| A police spokeswoman said the girl's father had saved her from "almost certain death." | A police spokeswoman said the girl's father had saved her from "almost certain death." |
| Alistair Baker, spokesman for Northumbrian Water, said: "This was obviously a horrendous ordeal for such a little girl. | Alistair Baker, spokesman for Northumbrian Water, said: "This was obviously a horrendous ordeal for such a little girl. |
| "A tragedy was averted thanks to the heroics of her father." | |
| The family had been visiting relatives in the area. | The family had been visiting relatives in the area. |