Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Girl, 3, rescued by crew member after falling from ferry into River Mersey

 

Paul Keaveny
Monday 14 October 2013 21:39 BST
Comments
A toddler was rescued after falling into the River Mersey
A toddler was rescued after falling into the River Mersey (AFP/Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A toddler was rescued by a ferry crewman after she fell into the River Mersey today.

The three-year-old girl went into the water at Seacombe, on the Wirral, but was rescued "within seconds", the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said.

She has been taken to hospital and the ferry service has been suspended.

An MCA spokeswoman said the child went over the side of the ferry while it was tied up alongside the landing stage.

"It looks like a member of the crew went in after the child and recovered her within seconds. It was over quite quickly," the spokeswoman said.

The MCA said it sent someone to the scene to speak to the crew and find out exactly what had happened and to carry out an investigation.

A spokeswoman for the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said they were called at 2.32pm to reports of a child falling off a ferry and into a river.

She said: "The person who dialled 999 said she had fallen 16ft off the top deck into the water."

The ambulance service said the child had a cut to her head or face but was "alert and responding" with no other apparent injuries.

The child has been taken to Arrow Park Hospital as a precaution.

A spokesman for Mersey Ferries said: "We have suspended our ferry sailing for the remainder of the day following an incident which saw a passenger enter the water. The emergency services were called to the scene and we are working to establish the circumstances around the incident."

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in