Empty pram found dumped next to river ‘by car thieves’ sparks huge search
A DESPERATE police search took place in Stockport after an empty pram and child’s belongings were found next to a river.
Concerns were raised with police after the pram was found close to the river’s edge in Etherow Country Park, with witnesses reporting “baby paraphernalia in the water”, but police are now saying that it was likely dumped by car thieves.
Specialist firefighters used a boat and divers to search the River Etherow for further traces of an infant.
Meanwhile a huge emergency response involving police, paramedics and at least one helicopter took place in the surrounding area.
Officers later confirmed that they were calling off the dramatic search.
A Greater Manchester Police statement said: “At around 11.38am today (Sunday 29 December 2019), a walker reported to police the discovery of some property near to Etherow Country Park in Stockport.
“Emergency services attended and as a precaution the fire service searched the river.
“At this stage, officers believe that the property was deposited from a passing vehicle, which police to believe to be stolen.
“Officers do not believe anyone is in danger or has come to harm.”
ALARM RAISED BY WALKERS
Eve Dugdale was walking in the country park with family and friends when the emergency services arrived at the scene at around 11.52am.
She told Manchester Evening News: “We’d just walked past the waterfall when three fire engines, an ambulance and the helicopter turned up.
“We saw a pram in the water at the waterfall with all the baby paraphernalia in the water.
“It was a grey and black buggy near the bottom and it looked like a blanket, a changing mat and other stuff were at different stages above it.
“They moved us off and we walked away. We’re at the entrance to the park now and there are loads of vehicles here.
“It’s a really popular spot, especially at this time of year and there are loads of families about.
“Everyone seems to be a bit shocked.”
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service deployed two fire engines, a tactical rescue unit and a boat to the scene.
Matt Cooke who lives close to Etherow Country Park, said: “I was jogging through the park. As I left the police let me across the bridge at the weir.
“I saw them take a pram and a baby’s car seat out of the water.
“There was a diver in the weir passing it up.”
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