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Girl falls into underground drain Storm drain girl 'not breathing'
(about 1 hour 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. 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.
Police said the girl travelled about 50 yards (46m) underground before being swept into the River Wear, near Durham Cricket ground, on Sunday evening. 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, from Leeming, North Yorkshire, plunged into the water and pulled her to safety. Her father Keith, of Leeming, North Yorkshire, jumped into the water and pulled her to safety.
Officers said the girl "miraculously" avoided serious injury. Police officers said the child "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. 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 checkHospital 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. 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.""A tragedy was averted thanks to the heroics of her father."
The family had been visiting relatives in the area.