ionigeria.com Nigerian Newspaper
The baby who died after being thrown into a river in Greater Manchester has been named by his devastated mother.
Emma Blood, 22, posted a picture of her baby son, named locally as Zakari Bennett, after he was thrown into the River Irwell, in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester.
It is understood Zakari, who was just under a year old, was thrown from a bridge above the river in his Moses basket.
In an emotional tribute to her son on Facebook, Emma wrote: ‘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. ‘Let me grieve for my child, my whole world and so much more. I am alive, although I wish I was dead.’
Emma Blood, 22, with her baby Zakari Emma posted online that she had sat with her son ‘for hours’ in A&E after his death Witnesses said Zak Bennett-Eko, 22, the boy’s father, was arrested by police as he sat in the pub.
Emergency services were called to the river shortly before 4.25pm on Wednesday, following reports that an infant had been thrown from a bridge. Zakari was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but despite best efforts to save him, the infant died a short time later.
The baby’s father, named locally as Zak Bennett-Eko, 22, was allegedly arrested by police as he sat with customers in the nearby Lock Keeper pub. It is believed he had taken his son out to buy milk.
Witnesses claim the dad wandered into the pub moments after the boy fell into the water, ordered a drink, sat down and ‘stared’, MailOnline reports.
Greater Manchester Police yesterday confirmed a man, 22, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody for questioning.
Detective Superintendent Jamie Daniels said: ‘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.
