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A 39-year-old man on Friday evening dropped a child 30 feet (9 meters) into a river before falling in himself, police in Bolton, England reported.

The officers said they were called Bolton's Astley Bridge when bystanders saw a man threatening to drop a young child into the water. Specialist negotiators were unable to prevent the man from carrying out his threat. An officer waiting in the water rescued the toddler immediately after she fell.

The toddler suffered a broken wrist and the man was lightly injured.

Greater Manchester Police Supt Paul Savill said, "Thankfully the little girl will recover from her physical injuries, but the trauma she was put through is heartbreaking. My thoughts are with her and he family."

"We have arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder, he will be questioned by police at the earliest opportunity.

"We will now ensure that the little girl and her family have all the support going forward, to help her make a full recovery."

The man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Police are investigating the incident.