River Avon car plunge girl dies
Discussion
A girl who was trapped in a car driven by her father when it plunged into a river in Worcestershire has died.
Gabrielle Grady, known as Gabby, died in Birmingham Children's Hospital, West Mercia Police said.
Chris Grady, 41, and Gabby's brother Ryan, six, escaped from the car. Gabby was trapped in the River Avon for two hours on Thursday before being rescued.
Mr Grady, 41, has been charged with attempted murder. Police said it was now a murder investigation.
A police spokesman said Gabby was surrounded by her family when she died.
She had been in a critical condition since being admitted to hospital.
Det Supt Steve Cullen, from West Mercia Police, said: "We are very sad to hear this terrible news and all our thoughts are with Gabby's family at this difficult time."
Ryan remained in hospital but his condition was improving, police said. On Friday, he was said to be sitting up in bed and talking.
The silver Vauxhall Vectra went into the river at Boat Lane in Hampton Ferry, near Evesham, on Thursday morning.
West Mercia Police had to call in divers from the neighbouring Avon & Somerset force to carry out the rescue. The divers travelled from Gloucester and arrived after 97 minutes.
Once there, they took 12 minutes to free Gabrielle from the submerged silver Vauxhall Estate car.
West Mercia Police said its own officers could not carry out a rescue because of the risk that would have posed to them.
Ambulance crews worked to resuscitate Gabby on the riverbank before she was taken to hospital.
She attended Swan Lane First School in Evesham. On Friday head teacher Graham Walker said the school community had been "shocked and saddened" by the events.
Mr Grady, of no fixed address, appeared before magistrates in Worcester on Saturday.
He was remanded in custody and is set to appear at Worcester Crown Court on Thursday.
Witnesses have described how they saw the car driving fast through a field before hitting the water with "an almighty bang".
How did she manage to survive for so long underwater? I know hypothermia slows the breathing down as you don't need as much oxygen, but surely she'd have drowned before then?
Poor little girl, poor family
Gabrielle Grady, known as Gabby, died in Birmingham Children's Hospital, West Mercia Police said.
Chris Grady, 41, and Gabby's brother Ryan, six, escaped from the car. Gabby was trapped in the River Avon for two hours on Thursday before being rescued.
Mr Grady, 41, has been charged with attempted murder. Police said it was now a murder investigation.
A police spokesman said Gabby was surrounded by her family when she died.
She had been in a critical condition since being admitted to hospital.
Det Supt Steve Cullen, from West Mercia Police, said: "We are very sad to hear this terrible news and all our thoughts are with Gabby's family at this difficult time."
Ryan remained in hospital but his condition was improving, police said. On Friday, he was said to be sitting up in bed and talking.
The silver Vauxhall Vectra went into the river at Boat Lane in Hampton Ferry, near Evesham, on Thursday morning.
West Mercia Police had to call in divers from the neighbouring Avon & Somerset force to carry out the rescue. The divers travelled from Gloucester and arrived after 97 minutes.
Once there, they took 12 minutes to free Gabrielle from the submerged silver Vauxhall Estate car.
West Mercia Police said its own officers could not carry out a rescue because of the risk that would have posed to them.
Ambulance crews worked to resuscitate Gabby on the riverbank before she was taken to hospital.
She attended Swan Lane First School in Evesham. On Friday head teacher Graham Walker said the school community had been "shocked and saddened" by the events.
Mr Grady, of no fixed address, appeared before magistrates in Worcester on Saturday.
He was remanded in custody and is set to appear at Worcester Crown Court on Thursday.
Witnesses have described how they saw the car driving fast through a field before hitting the water with "an almighty bang".
How did she manage to survive for so long underwater? I know hypothermia slows the breathing down as you don't need as much oxygen, but surely she'd have drowned before then?
Poor little girl, poor family
As horrible as it would have been, the fact that the car was an estate probably saved her life while she was underwater - it would have more than enough air trapped inside to sustain a 5 year old child's breathing. Mercifully I hope she was unconscious but breathing through the whole incident, therefore not knowing what had happened, and also breathing shallow rather than frantically.
Imo the two officers couldn't really do anything more at the time - they didn't know the river and knew that professional help was on its way. It is a miracle that she was pulled out alive, but tragic that she succumbed in hospital. The blame for this incident lies squarely on the girl's father, who it would appear was first arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, elevated to murder after these tragic events.
RIP, and I hope her brother goes on to make a full recovery.
Imo the two officers couldn't really do anything more at the time - they didn't know the river and knew that professional help was on its way. It is a miracle that she was pulled out alive, but tragic that she succumbed in hospital. The blame for this incident lies squarely on the girl's father, who it would appear was first arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, elevated to murder after these tragic events.
RIP, and I hope her brother goes on to make a full recovery.
Mojocvh said:
"West Mercia Police said its own officers could not carry out a rescue because of the risk that would have posed to them."
Awesome risk assessment there, glad the police did the right thing and didn't place themselves at risk.
What would you have had them do? Jump in and potentially end up with 3 deaths...Awesome risk assessment there, glad the police did the right thing and didn't place themselves at risk.
Just because they're wearing a uniform doesn't mean they are invincible.
ali_kat said:
This story has been haunting the back of my mind all weekend wondering what could have driven their father to do this; how she and her brother are doing; how the rest of their family are coping
it has really upset me
Can't really understand why a rational parent would do something like this ali, but perhaps that is the clue, something drove that person to such a state he decided to deny his children life. wondering what could have driven their father to do this; how she and her brother are doing; how the rest of their family are coping it has really upset me
The question what pushed him out over the edge? Poor children & father, there are no winners here, except those who are in the shadows.
RIP.
Mo.
Rollcage said:
I have to wonder how an adult and a child can escape from the car, but police officers are unable to rescue a small child?
From what I have read, the car was submerged, the river had fast flowing undercurrents and the risk to the police would have been tantamount to suicidal.If it takes a team of trained police divers 12 minutes to dive, find the car and extract the occupant, how long do you think it would take two untrained officers, without breathing apparatus or lights to do the same thing?
That was how they were unable to rescue the child.
Frederick said:
Mojocvh said:
"West Mercia Police said its own officers could not carry out a rescue because of the risk that would have posed to them."
Awesome risk assessment there, glad the police did the right thing and didn't place themselves at risk.
What would you have had them do? Jump in and potentially end up with 3 deaths...Awesome risk assessment there, glad the police did the right thing and didn't place themselves at risk.
Just because they're wearing a uniform doesn't mean they are Pinvincible.
its what? 3 minutes the average person can survive underwater without aid?
Frederick said:
Mojocvh said:
"West Mercia Police said its own officers could not carry out a rescue because of the risk that would have posed to them."
Awesome risk assessment there, glad the police did the right thing and didn't place themselves at risk.
What would you have had them do? Jump in and potentially end up with 3 deaths...Awesome risk assessment there, glad the police did the right thing and didn't place themselves at risk.
Just because they're wearing a uniform doesn't mean they are invincible.
Mojocvh said:
Frederick said:
Mojocvh said:
"West Mercia Police said its own officers could not carry out a rescue because of the risk that would have posed to them."
Awesome risk assessment there, glad the police did the right thing and didn't place themselves at risk.
What would you have had them do? Jump in and potentially end up with 3 deaths...Awesome risk assessment there, glad the police did the right thing and didn't place themselves at risk.
Just because they're wearing a uniform doesn't mean they are invincible.
Some people think that the police should show no regard for personal safety as soon as they don their uniforms. Your "Awesome risk assessment..." line was chock full of sarcasm, therefore me asking you if you'd simply have them jump in unaided, potentially ending up with the loss of the two officers *and* the occupant of the car, hence three deaths was a correct question.
As it was, the young girl was pulled out alive, however tragically succumbed to her injuries in hospital. I can't see how the police could have acted in any other ways to prevent the tragic outcome of this situation.
Edited by Frederick on Monday 15th February 01:01
Frederick said:
Rollcage said:
I have to wonder how an adult and a child can escape from the car, but police officers are unable to rescue a small child?
From what I have read, the car was submerged, the river had fast flowing undercurrents and the risk to the police would have been tantamount to suicidal.If it takes a team of trained police divers 12 minutes to dive, find the car and extract the occupant, how long do you think it would take two untrained officers, without breathing apparatus or lights to do the same thing?
That was how they were unable to rescue the child.
ETA this Link seems to have the most accurate reporting as to exactly what happened, and certainly shows events in a different light.
Edited by Rollcage on Monday 15th February 01:31
Mojocvh said:
ali_kat said:
This story has been haunting the back of my mind all weekend wondering what could have driven their father to do this; how she and her brother are doing; how the rest of their family are coping
it has really upset me
Can't really understand why a rational parent would do something like this ali, but perhaps that is the clue, something drove that person to such a state he decided to deny his children life. wondering what could have driven their father to do this; how she and her brother are doing; how the rest of their family are coping it has really upset me
The question what pushed him out over the edge? Poor children & father, there are no winners here, except those who are in the shadows.
RIP.
Mo.
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