THE mother of a girl who died after her father drove his car into an icy river has spoken of the devastating effect her loss has had on her family.

Gabby Grady died, aged five, after dad Chris Grady drove his car into the river Avon at Evesham with two of his children inside in February last year.

Brother Ryan was rescued by police officers and saved by paramedics but Gabby was trapped inside the car for two hours and died later in hospital.

Grady was jailed for life for murder and attempted murder last week.

Mum Kim Smith gave an exclusive interview to the News of the World to tell how Ryan, seven, had been back to the riverside so he could hang an angel windchime in a tree near where the tragedy happened.

She also told how Ryan re-enacted the scene with Lego bricks in his bath – although in his scenario his sister lived.

The little boy has been plagued by nightmares and refuses to talk about his ordeal. She also relived the moment when she had to allow Gabby’s life support machine to be switched off on Valentine’s day and how she had held her daughter in her arms as she took her last breaths.

• See how we covered this tragic case in our special section here.