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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/sep/12/mother-pays-tribute-to-baby-thrown-into-river-in-radcliffe
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| Mother pays tribute to baby son 'thrown' into river in Radcliffe | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The mother of an 11-month-old baby who died after he was allegedly thrown off a bridge into a river has paid tribute to her son. | The mother of an 11-month-old baby who died after he was allegedly thrown off a bridge into a river has paid tribute to her son. |
| Zakari Bennett, was rescued by firefighters from the River Irwell in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, on Wednesday afternoon, just a short distance from the bridge. He was taken to hospital but pronounced dead a short time later. | Zakari Bennett, was rescued by firefighters from the River Irwell in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, on Wednesday afternoon, just a short distance from the bridge. He was taken to hospital but pronounced dead a short time later. |
| His mother, Emma Blood, posted a statement on Facebook saying she was unaware anything had happened to her son until 7pm on Wednesday and did not know he had died until she reached the hospital. | His mother, Emma Blood, posted a statement on Facebook saying she was unaware anything had happened to her son until 7pm on Wednesday and did not know he had died until she reached the hospital. |
| She wrote on her Facebook page: “I lost my baby today. I love my little boy and did everything for him. I didn’t know my child was dead until I got to A&E. We sat with him for hours, we held him, we kissed him and then I left. | She wrote on her Facebook page: “I lost my baby today. I love my little boy and did everything for him. I didn’t know my child was dead until I got to A&E. We sat with him for hours, we held him, we kissed him and then I left. |
| “I am alive, although I wish I was dead instead. Let me grieve for my child, my whole world and so much more.” | “I am alive, although I wish I was dead instead. Let me grieve for my child, my whole world and so much more.” |
| A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. | A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. |
| Police were called to the river near Blackburn Street in the town centre at around 4.25pm on Wednesday following reports that a baby was in the water. | Police were called to the river near Blackburn Street in the town centre at around 4.25pm on Wednesday following reports that a baby was in the water. |
| It is understood members of the public had already tried to rescue Bennett when emergency services – including the police helicopter arrived and managed to pull him from the water. Police said a postmortem will take place on Friday as inquiries continue. | It is understood members of the public had already tried to rescue Bennett when emergency services – including the police helicopter arrived and managed to pull him from the water. Police said a postmortem will take place on Friday as inquiries continue. |
| A number of cordons remained in place near the river, including in Peel Street and River Street. Tearful mourners, many of whom were mothers with young children, left flowers, soft toys and candles on the bridge. | A number of cordons remained in place near the river, including in Peel Street and River Street. Tearful mourners, many of whom were mothers with young children, left flowers, soft toys and candles on the bridge. |
| Among the tributes was a large cuddly bear with a card that read: “To a beautiful little boy. Sleep tight little man. Our thoughts are with your family. From all of us at Lidl Radcliffe.” | Among the tributes was a large cuddly bear with a card that read: “To a beautiful little boy. Sleep tight little man. Our thoughts are with your family. From all of us at Lidl Radcliffe.” |
| One card with flowers read: “Goodnight and God bless beautiful innocent boy. Fly high angel.” | One card with flowers read: “Goodnight and God bless beautiful innocent boy. Fly high angel.” |
| The boy’s grandfather was too upset to comment as he visited the bridge. He left a card that read: “To my beautiful grandson. We love you so much, RIP.” | The boy’s grandfather was too upset to comment as he visited the bridge. He left a card that read: “To my beautiful grandson. We love you so much, RIP.” |
| Detectives at Greater Manchester police continued to appeal for information, believing parts of the incident were captured on camera by members of the public. | Detectives at Greater Manchester police continued to appeal for information, believing parts of the incident were captured on camera by members of the public. |
| DI Wes Knights, of Greater Manchester police, said: “This is an incredibly tragic incident which has taken the life of a baby boy, who we believe is only around 11 months old. | |
| “His family have understandably been left devastated by what has happened. We currently have a suspect in custody who will be questioned by detectives later today. | “His family have understandably been left devastated by what has happened. We currently have a suspect in custody who will be questioned by detectives later today. |
| “However, our investigation does not stop there and we need anybody with information to come forward and help us get answers for this little boy’s loved ones. | “However, our investigation does not stop there and we need anybody with information to come forward and help us get answers for this little boy’s loved ones. |
| “We know that there were a significant number of witnesses to what happened and I want to urge those people to come forward and provide us with as much detail as they can. | “We know that there were a significant number of witnesses to what happened and I want to urge those people to come forward and provide us with as much detail as they can. |
| “It’s also possible that other people may have information about the circumstances leading up to the incident, as we know the baby had been in the area for a number of hours beforehand. | “It’s also possible that other people may have information about the circumstances leading up to the incident, as we know the baby had been in the area for a number of hours beforehand. |
| “Given the time this happened and the large number of witnesses present, 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.” | “Given the time this happened and the large number of witnesses present, 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.” |
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