This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7857457.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Melbourne bridge plunge girl dies Australian 'throws girl to death'
(about 3 hours later)
The father of a four-year-old girl who was reportedly thrown 58m (190ft) from a bridge in Australia into the river below has been charged with her murder. An Australian man charged with throwing his four-year-old daughter to her death from a bridge was suffering acute psychiatric distress, a court heard.
Witnesses said a man stopped his car on Melbourne's West Gate Bridge and threw the child over the side. The girl plunged 58m (190ft) from the West Gate bridge in Melbourne into the Yarra river during morning rush hour.
The 36-year-old suspect may have been involved in a custody dispute with his wife, Melbourne police said. She died a few hours later, after being airlifted to the city's Royal Children's Hospital, officials said.
The girl died a few hours later, after being airlifted to the city's Royal Children's Hospital, officials said. The 35-year-old suspect is thought to have been involved in a protracted custody dispute with his wife.
She had been rescued from the Yarra River in critical condition, and police spent 45 minutes attempting to resuscitate her on the riverbank before she was transported to the hospital. The man did not appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court, as he was said to be suicidal and suffering from acute psychiatric distress.
He was remanded in custody.
Court arrestCourt arrest
Two other children were in the car at the time of the incident, which happened during the morning rush hour as hundreds of other motorists were using the bridge, police said. The girl was in a critical condition after being pulled from the river. Police spent 45 minutes attempting to resuscitate her on the riverbank before she was transported to hospital.
Two other children were in the man's car at the time - the authorities said they were the victim's siblings, aged eight and six.
The incident occurred about 0900 on Thursday (2000 GMT Wednesday), when hundreds of other motorists were using the bridge, police said.
"No one had the opportunity to intervene... it all happened fairly quickly," Detective Inspector Steve Clark was quoted as saying by AFP news agency."No one had the opportunity to intervene... it all happened fairly quickly," Detective Inspector Steve Clark was quoted as saying by AFP news agency.
"It's a dreadful set of circumstances, and often you think you've seen it all but you haven't," said Mr Clark."It's a dreadful set of circumstances, and often you think you've seen it all but you haven't," said Mr Clark.
He said the "visibly distressed" man was arrested outside a Melbourne court that deals with family matters shortly after the incident.He said the "visibly distressed" man was arrested outside a Melbourne court that deals with family matters shortly after the incident.
The Victoria state Premier, John Brumby, described the young girl's death as "a terrible tragedy".