A YOUNG girl dragged from an icy river after two hours under water is still fighting for her life, according to police.

The five-year-old was hauled out of the river Avon at Evesham earlier today by police divers, having been trapped in a car which plunged into the water off Boat Lane at about 9.20am.

A man and a six-year-old boy managed to escape the sinking vehicle, but police say the boy is also in a critical condition at Birmingham Childrens' Hospital, where the girl is also being treated.

The man was treated at Alexandra Hospital in Redditch but was later discharged.

Officers have since arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder.

Superintendent Garry Higgins, of South Worcestershire Division of West Mercia Police, said: “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.”

• See tomorrow's Worcester News for the full story.