HUNDREDS of people gathered in silence and released pink heart-shaped balloons into the sky as they paid tribute to a five-year-old girl who died after the car she was in plunged into the river Avon.

After the minute’s silence at 1.30pm in Evesham’s Market Square today those who gathered then clapped in memory of Gabrielle “Gabby” Grady.

Gabby was trapped when her dad’s car drove into the river. 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, is currently in custody on charges of attempted murder, although one indictment is expected to be amended to one of murder at a later date.

For more on the minute's silence and balloon release see Monday's Worcester News.