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Storm drain girl 'not breathing' | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The father of a three-year-old girl sucked 150ft along an underground drain has told how she was not breathing when he pulled her from the River Wear. | |
Leona Baxter was playing in a puddle when she disappeared. She had been sucked into the drain and was thrown out into the swollen river. | |
Her father Keith, of Leeming, North Yorkshire, jumped into the water and pulled her to safety. | |
Police officers said the child "miraculously" avoided serious injury. | |
His wife Beverley performed first aid on the youngster who suffered a cut to her head. | |
'Coughing and spluttering' | |
Mr Baxter said the emergency services were "phenomenal" and arrived at the scene within three minutes. | |
Mr Baxter said: "I ran across the river and I saw what I thought was Leona's coat and I realised it was Leona floating face down in the river. | |
"So I jumped over the side, jumped in, grabbed her and the water went up to my shoulder. | |
"I put her over my shoulder and patted her back because she wasn't breathing. | |
The drain has now been cordoned off | |
"I couldn't move holding Leona as my wellies had filled with water, so I stayed balanced and handed her to Bev who was on a bank. | |
"As soon as Leona was coughing and spluttering and being sick, I felt much happier because she was breathing then." | |
Police said Leona travelled about 150ft underground before being swept into the River Wear, near Durham Cricket ground, on Sunday evening. | |
The child was playing with her father and family dog in a deep puddle at a playground in Riverside Park, Chester-le-Street, when the 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." |
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." | "A tragedy was averted thanks to the heroics of her father." |