Heartbroken mother of baby who died after being thrown into a river tells of final moments with her boy
Emma Blood said she “sat with him for hours, held him and kissed him” after her one-year-old toddler was hurled off a bridge
The petrified mother of a baby boy who died after being thrown into a river has told of her final moments with her child.
The baby, named Zakari Bennett was thrown from a bridge over the River Irwell in Radcliffe, Manchester, after which it was pulled out of the water by firefighters and rushed to a hospital.
Despite the efforts of paramedics and doctors, the baby passed away in the hospital.
In a heartbreaking Facebook post, the mother said:
“I wish I was dead instead”.
“I didn’t know anything that had happened until 7pm. 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’m no crappy parent, I love my little boy and did everything for him.
I lost MY baby today. I didn’t touch my child.
I was NOT ARRESTED because believe it or not it’s all on CCTV that the police have watched and know I was NOT INVOLVED with the murder of MY child.
I am alive, although I wish I was dead. Let me grieve for my child, my whole world and so much more.”
Emergency services were called due to reports of a baby in the water near Blackburn Street at around 4:25 pm on September 11.
The toddler was found shortly after and rushed to the hospital, where he tragically died.
Love you forever son x
Posted by Emma Blood on Saturday, April 27, 2019
A 22-year-old man is currently being questioned in custody on suspicion of murder.
Detective Superintendent Jamie Daniels of Greater Manchester Police had the following to say:
“This is an incredibly tragic incident that has led to an innocent baby boy losing his life and 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.
“Whilst we have a man in custody, our investigation is ongoing and I’d urge any witnesses or anyone with any information to get in touch as soon as possible so that we can find out what happened to him.”