Father on attempted murder charge

A MAN appeared in court yesterday charged with attempting to murder his two children after the car he was driving plunged into a river in Worcestershire.

Chris Grady, 41, of no fixed abode, was remanded in custody at Worcester Magistrates' Court over the incident near Evesham, on Thursday.

Grady and son Ryan, six, escaped from the car. His daughter Gabrielle, five, was rescued after two hours. The girl remains critically ill, while Ryan's condition is said to be stable. Grady is due to appear at Worcester Crown Court on Thursday.

West Mercia Police were called to Boat Lane at Hampton Ferry at 9.20am on Thursday after reports that a vehicle had gone into the River Avon. Police divers were called and arrived from Gloucestershire after 97 minutes, but it took them only 12 minutes to rescue Gabrielle from the submerged car.