Funeral is held for tragic Gabby Grady (From Worcester News)

Funeral is held for tragic Gabby Grady

12:00pm Monday 8th March 2010 in

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FAMILY and friends have said their final farewells to a little girl who died after the car she was in crashed in to a Worcestershire river.

Mourners gathered at St Barnabas Church in Rainbow Hill, Worcester, at 11am today for the funeral of Gabby Grady, who died on Valentine's Day following the incident in Evesham three days earlier.

They stood in silence as the five-year-old's white coffin arrived at the church on a glass carriage drawn by two horses sporting pink feathers.

Among the mourners was Gabby's brother Ryan, six, who managed to escape the sinking car with the childrens' father, Chris.

The boy was pulled from the water by police officers, while Grady was rescused by firefighters.

Ryan, like many others there, wore a pink tie, while many of the women wore pink scarves and coats.

The coffin was surrounded by flowers including tributes spelling out Gabby, Sister, Niece and Princess.

In a moving tribute today, Gabby's mum, Kim Wise, thanked the people of the town.

She said: "I would like to take a moment to say a personal thank you to everyone who has opened their hearts up to my beautiful angel Gabrielle.

"Heart-felt thanks to the people of Evesham, all rescue services, police and hospital staff.

"A special thank you to my heroes Phil Stayte and Sean Kent for saving my little man.

"The biggest thank you goes to my family for being there for me."

The mourners then went to Astwood Crematorium and Cemetary for a burial.

Grady now faces charges of attempted murder, with one matter expected to be changed to that of murder at a later date.

On Sunday, February 21, hundreds of people paid silent tribute in Evesham town centre, before releasing balloons in her memory.

The Revd Peter Haddleton, vicar of the Parish of St Barnabas, said: "I know that Kim and the family have been deeply touched by how the people of Evesham have taken them to their hearts over these dark and difficult days.

"They wanted to return to their own roots in Rainbow Hill and at St Barnabas for this very personal service for Gabby."

• See tomorrow's Worcester News for more.