Baby pulled from River Irwell dies in hospital as man arrested

The boy was recovered from the river shortly before 16:30 BST

A baby boy pulled out of a river in Greater Manchester has died.

The child, believed to be almost 12 months old, was pulled from the River Irwell in Radcliffe, Bury, just before 16:30 BST but died a short time later in hospital.

A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Det Supt Jamie Daniels said it was an "incredibly tragic incident" which "has led to an innocent baby boy losing his life".

Police said they were "working hard to piece together the circumstances that led to the baby boy ending up in the water"

Officers said it was not clear how the boy came to be in the water but unconfirmed reports suggest he was thrown from a bridge.

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.

A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service said crews "rescued one casualty who was then handed over to North West Ambulance Service".