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Zakari Bennett: River death baby's dad arrested over murder | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A baby boy who died after being pulled out of a river in Greater Manchester has been named locally as Zakari Bennett. | A baby boy who died after being pulled out of a river in Greater Manchester has been named locally as Zakari Bennett. |
Zakari, believed to have been 11 months old, was lifted from the River Irwell in Radcliffe, Bury, just before 16:30 BST on Wednesday but died in hospital. | Zakari, believed to have been 11 months old, was lifted from the River Irwell in Radcliffe, Bury, just before 16:30 BST on Wednesday but died in hospital. |
The boy's 22-year-old father has been arrested on suspicion of murder. | |
The child's mother paid tribute to her son, who was her "whole world and so much more". | The child's mother paid tribute to her son, who was her "whole world and so much more". |
An emotional post made earlier on her Facebook account shared her shock and grief following his death. | An emotional post made earlier on her Facebook account shared her shock and grief following his death. |
Greater Manchester Police said it was not clear at this stage how the boy came to be in the water but unconfirmed reports suggest he was thrown from a bridge. | Greater Manchester Police said it was not clear at this stage how the boy came to be in the water but unconfirmed reports suggest he was thrown from a bridge. |
The force urged "a significant number of witnesses" to come forward, particularly those with photos or videos. | The force urged "a significant number of witnesses" to come forward, particularly those with photos or videos. |
"We know that some of the incident was captured in images or on video so I want to ask people to provide these to the investigation team," said Det Insp Wes Knights. | "We know that some of the incident was captured in images or on video so I want to ask people to provide these to the investigation team," said Det Insp Wes Knights. |
Police confirmed the baby had been in the area "for a number of hours beforehand" and witnesses "may have information about the circumstances leading up to the incident". | Police confirmed the baby had been in the area "for a number of hours beforehand" and witnesses "may have information about the circumstances leading up to the incident". |
Det Insp Knights added it was "incredibly tragic" and thanked those people "who tried their best to help retrieve the baby from the river". | Det Insp Knights added it was "incredibly tragic" and thanked those people "who tried their best to help retrieve the baby from the river". |
"His family have understandably been left devastated by what has happened," he added. | "His family have understandably been left devastated by what has happened," he added. |
A post-mortem examination will take place on Friday. | A post-mortem examination will take place on Friday. |
A cordon is still in place on Blackburn Street, at the junctions with Stand Lane and Radcliffe New Road, while investigations continue. | A cordon is still in place on Blackburn Street, at the junctions with Stand Lane and Radcliffe New Road, while investigations continue. |
Enzo Cabuderra, who works at Italia Mia restaurant in neighbouring Stand Lane, said he arrived to find police and ambulance staff at the scene. | Enzo Cabuderra, who works at Italia Mia restaurant in neighbouring Stand Lane, said he arrived to find police and ambulance staff at the scene. |
"I've got grandkids myself and to think that someone could do something like this…it's just shocking," he said. | "I've got grandkids myself and to think that someone could do something like this…it's just shocking," he said. |
A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said crews "rescued one casualty who was then handed over to North West Ambulance Service". | A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said crews "rescued one casualty who was then handed over to North West Ambulance Service". |