This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

A 22-year-old man has been charged with the murder of 11-month-old Zakari William Bennett-Eko, who died after he was recovered from the River Irwell in Radcliffe on Wednesday, Greater Manchester police have said.

The baby was rescued by firefighters from the river on Wednesday afternoon. He was taken to hospital but pronounced dead a short time later.

In a statement on Thursday night, police said: “A man has been charged after a baby boy who was found in the River Irwell sadly died. Zak Eko has been charged with murder. He has been remanded in custody and will appear at Manchester magistrates court tomorrow, Friday 13 September 2019.”

Earlier Zakari’s mother, Emma Blood, paid tribute to her baby son. She posted a statement on Facebook saying she was unaware anything had happened to him until 7pm on Wednesday and did not know he had died until she reached the hospital.

She wrote on her Facebook page: “I lost my baby today. I love my little boy and did everything for him. I didn’t know my child was dead until I got to A&E. We sat with him for hours, we held him, we kissed him and then I left.

“I am alive, although I wish I was dead instead. Let me grieve for my child, my whole world and so much more.”

Police were called to the river near Blackburn Street in the town centre at around 4.25pm on Wednesday following reports that a baby was in the water.

It is understood members of the public had already tried to rescue Zakari when emergency services – including the police helicopter arrived and managed to pull him from the water. Police said a postmortem will take place on Friday.

A number of cordons remained in place near the river, including in Peel Street and River Street. Tearful mourners, many of whom were mothers with young children, left flowers, soft toys and candles at the scene.

Among the tributes was a large cuddly bear with a card that read: “To a beautiful little boy. Sleep tight little man. Our thoughts are with your family. From all of us at Lidl Radcliffe.”

One card with flowers read: “Goodnight and God bless beautiful innocent boy. Fly high angel.”

The boy’s grandfather was too upset to comment as he visited the scene. He left a card that read: “To my beautiful grandson. We love you so much, RIP.”