Everything we know so far about fatal river crash

2 days ago

Aimee DexterCambridgeshire

Cambridgeshire Police and divers have conducted searches since the incident on 17 March

Mousumi Bakshi/BBC Three police officers are spread out and standing on the side of a river bank. There are two cones on the left and specialist equipment on the grass. A diver is in the water. — Cambridgeshire Police and divers have conducted searches since the incident on 17 March

It is more than a week since a car plunged into the River Nene just outside of the Fenland town of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, with five young people inside. Three escaped the vehicle, but the body of 16-year-old Eden Bunn was recovered by divers, while the driver, 18-year-old Declan Berry, remains missing.

As police continue to search the river this is what we know so far.

Where did the incident take place?

There was a large emergency service presence the day after the incident

Qays Najm/BBC A side-on view of a police officer in black uniform, wearing a white and blue police flat cap, standing on the grassy bank of the River Nene looking down to the water. Other people are huddled behind him. There are trees in the background. It looks to be twilight. — There was a large emergency service presence the day after the incident

Cambridgeshire Police said it was called to reports of a blue VW Polo that had entered the River Nene, in Wisbech St Mary, at about 20:20 GMT on 17 March, after it had left the road on North Brink.

Five young people, aged between 16 and 18, were in the car, but a male and a female among the group were unaccounted for, police said at the time.

The car was travelling southbound along North Brink, a narrow road on the outskirts of Wisbech town centre, that runs alongside the River Nene.

A grass bank separates the area between the road and river.

What happened to those in the car?

The body of Eden Bunn, 16, has been recovered from the river, and Declan Berry, 18, is still missing

Cambridgeshire Police A composite image of two photos. Eden Bunn is on the left and has long blonde hair. She is wearing glasses and is standing in front of trees. Declan Berry is on the right has short black hair. He is wearing a black polo T-shirt and is sitting in front of a wall. — The body of Eden Bunn, 16, has been recovered from the river, and Declan Berry, 18, is still missing

Two girls aged 16 and one 18-year-old man managed to escape the vehicle and were taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening.

The day after the collision, searches were conducted by Cambridgeshire Police, with divers brought in to help from the Metropolitan Police.

Fire crews from four stations also assisted at the scene.

Divers discovered the body of a 16-year-old girl, who was found in the car and believed to be a rear-seat passenger, at about 15:00 on 18 March.

She was later named as 16-year-old Eden Bunn, from Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire, and was described by her family as the "kindest, most loving girl".

"Words cannot describe the tragedy that will stay with us until we are able to meet her again," they said in a statement.

Declan Berry, 18, who was believed to be driving the car remains missing, with police widening the area of searches to locate him.

His family and friends said in a statement: "We are absolutely devastated beyond words and ask for privacy during this tragic time."

Cambridgeshire Police said the car was recovered on Monday and said "no further people" were located inside the vehicle.

Where does the River Nene go?

The stretch of the River Nene near Wisbech is bordered by the A47 (right) and the road on North Brink

Qays Najm/BBC An aerial image of the A47 running next to the river, with North Brink on the other. The area is mainly rural with a few houses and industrial buildings in clusters. — The stretch of the River Nene near Wisbech is bordered by the A47 (right) and the road on North Brink

Det Ch Insp Garry Webb, from the Cambridgeshire Police roads unit, told the BBC that the group were "good friends" and on their way home when the "tragic accident" happened.

The River Nene flows through Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Lincolnshire.

In Cambridgeshire, parts of the river are tidal meaning the water level and flow are influenced by the daily rise and fall of the sea tides.

"The area does look quite peaceful, but within the water there is a significant current and a significant tide," Webb added.