THE Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) will conduct an investigation into the prior contact West Mercia Police had with the family involved in the Evesham river tragedy.

Five-year-old Gabby Grady was trapped when her dad’s car drove into the river Avon last Thursday.

She was recovered by police divers, but died three days later in hospital.

Her six-year-old brother Ryan, also a passenger in the Vauxhall Vectra, was pulled from the water at the town’s Hampton Ferry, off Boat Lane, by police officers and has since recovered.

Her father Chris, was also rescued from the river, and has since been charged with the attempted murder of his children.

Prior to the incident, West Mercia Police had been contacted by the family on several occasions, mainly concerning access to the children.

It was this contact and the subsequent death and serious injury sustained by the children which required West Mercia Police to mandatorily refer the case to the IPCC.

See tommorow's Worcester News for full details.