Man charged with murder after baby found in the river Irwell

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 is in custody and will appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court later today.

Police were called to reports that a child was in the River Irwell near to Blackburn Street in Radcliffe yesterday afternoon.

Emergency services attended and the baby boy was retrieved from the water and taken to hospital.

The boy – who has since been formally identified as 11-month-old Zakari William Bennett-Eko – sadly died a short time later despite the best efforts of paramedics and specialist doctors.