Two critical after car plunges into river (From Worcester News)

Children critical after car plunges into the Avon at Evesham

10:48am Thursday 11th February 2010 in News By Lauren Rogers, @laurenrogersWN #WENews

TWO children are in a critical condition after a car plunged into an icy river in Worcestershire.

Emergency services were called shortly before 9.30am today after the vehicle was seen in the Avon at Evesham at Boat Lane.

A man and a six-year-old boy managed to get out of the car but police divers brought the five-year-old girl out around two hours later.

An ambulance spokesman said both children are critical in hospital.

Police have confirmed that a man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the incident.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “When crews arrived, the man and a young boy were already out of the vehicle.

“The boy’s condition was stabilised before he was airlifted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital in a critical condition.

“The man was taken by ambulance to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch; his condition is not believed to be too serious.

“A young girl was pulled from the submerged vehicle around two hours later by police divers. Ambulance staff immediately started resuscitation attempts and she too was airlifted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

“This was an extremely difficult incident for the staff from all three emergency services. Their close co-operation has ensured everything that could possibly be done, has been.”

Superintendent Garry Higgins, of South Worcestershire Division of West Mercia Police, said: "This was obviously a very traumatic incident our officers are been left very shaken by events.

"An investigation into the incident in now ongoing and we would also like to hear from anyone who was in the area around the river at Boat Lane this morning before 9.20am.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0300 3333000.

• See tomorrow's Worcester News for more.