POLICE have now named the 72-year-old woman who tragically died after her car plunged into the Manchester
Ship Canal at Stockton Heath, Warrington, despite the valiant efforts of
Cheshire fire and rescue crews who were on the scene in just over five
minutes.
She was Valerie Pritchard, of Grappenhall, a grandmother of four and great grandmother of one.
Members of her family are today trying to come to terms with her tragic loss.
The incident happened at 4pm when the car entered the ship canal off Egerton Street, with reports of a woman trapped inside.
Although fire and rescue crews were on the scene in just over five minutes the vehicle was already submerged.
Police divers were called to assist with the rescue and the woman was eventually rescued and handed to the care of the ambulance services who transfered her to Warrington Hospital where she was sadly pronounced dead.
Eye witnesses attempted to assist the woman using ropes to climb down to the water before fire crews arrived on the scene.
The vehicle was seen to pull out of Egerton Street and go through fencing and into the canal.
A full police investigation is now underway.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has any information which could explain how the accident occurred, is asked to call Cheshire Police on 101.
