Father, 22, ‘kills his one-year-old boy’ by throwing him off a bridge into a river in Moses basket before going to the pub – where police arrest him for horrifying incident ‘after row with infant’s pregnant mother’
- The boy was rescued from the River Irwell, Greater Manchester, by firefighters
- The child was taken to hospital where he has died, according to police statement
- A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is in custody
- It is believed that the arrested 22-year-old man was the baby’s father
- Witnesses said he sat down in the Lock Keeper pub after the incident to order a drink
- **Do you know the father? Did you see what happened? Email ed.riley@mailonline.co.uk or tips@dailymail.com**
By Joe Middleton and Stefan Boscia For Mailonline
Published: 13:55 EDT, 11 September 2019 | Updated: 03:19 EDT, 12 September 2019
A baby has died after being thrown from a bridge into a river in his Moses basket before the alleged killer walked into a nearby pub for a drink.
A 22-year-old man, believed to be the 11 month old boy’s father, was arrested as he sat with customers inside the Lock Keeper pub in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester.
Shocked witnesses said the boy was thrown off a bridge in the carry-cot into the nearby River Irwell at around 4.30pm yesterday.
Paramedics battled to save the boy after he was pulled from the water, some 100 yards from the bridge. He was taken to hospital but pronounced dead a short time later.
A barmaid working at the pub said the man came in and asked for a drink but said he had no money.
Floral tributes have been left at the scene today on the bridge over the River Irwell
Two teddy bears have been left on the bridge, next to two candles
A police officer mans a cordon near the bridge were the baby was allegedly thrown into the water
Candles and a card have been left on the bridge were the baby boy was allegedly thrown into the River Irwell
A forensic officer at the scene this morning
A 22-year-old man has been arrested for murder after throwing a 12-month-old boy off a bridge and to his death
She said: ‘Then loads of people came in screaming that there’s a baby in the river.
‘He sat there and stared, he didn’t move so the police were phoned and he just told a customer that he’d thrown his baby in the river.
Do you know the father? Did you see what happened?
Email ed.riley@mailonline.co.uk or tips@dailymail.com
‘Everyone was up barring him, he sat there and stared and didn’t move.
‘The police were phoned to say “we think we have who you’re looking for'”
Another witness told the Manchester Evening News: ‘It was a very small child in the river, I thought it was a doll when I saw it.
‘I thought someone was on the run.’
The man was arrested inside the pub minutes later after police were called. They have now launched a murder investigation.
Anastasia Ward, who lives next to the bridge said: ‘I saw the mum walk past with the baby around 4pm.
The man, believed to be the father, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and police say investigations are underway
‘At about 4.25pm there were helicopters, more police than I’ve ever seen and crowds of people on the bridge.’
Dozens of floral tributes have been left at the scene this morning on the bridge. One card read:
Detective Superintendent Jamie Daniels from Greater Manchester Police said: ‘This is an incredibly tragic incident that has led to an innocent baby boy losing his life.
‘We are doing everything we can to support his family at this unimaginably devastating time.
‘I know his loss will be felt by the entire community and our thoughts are very much with his loved ones this evening.
‘A murder investigation is underway and we are working hard to piece together the circumstances that led to the baby boy ending up in the water.’
A barmaid working at the pub (pictured) said: ‘He came in and asked for a drink but said he had no money’
Greater Manchester Police said it was called to the scene shortly before 4.25pm on Wednesday
The boy was thrown off the Blackburn Street bridge and into the River Irwell in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester
The boy was given first aid at the scene before being rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead
Greater Manchester Police still had the area cordoned off as of 9.55pm
Members of the Radcliffe community have responded on social media, expressing their shock at the incident.
One user commented: ‘Totally horrific beyond comprehension. Worked in Radcliffe, know the area but this is just so utterly horrible.’
Another said: ‘Heartbreaking how this can ever be explained as a domestic incident is beyond me. Rest in peace little man.’
A social media user said on Facebook that a candlelight vigil was being prepared to take place tomorrow at the bridge where the incident occurred.
**Do you know the father? Did you see what happened? Email ed.riley@mailonline.co.uk or tips@dailymail.com**
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