'Miracle' recovery of girl, 3, who fell into lake

Ayda in hospital looking at a toy
Ayda's family praised everyone involved in the rescue effort and the Alder Hey staff who cared for her [Family handout]

A three-year-old girl who fell into a lake has made a "miracle" recovery, her family has said.

Ayda Kenny was saved by police officers after falling into the water at Thatto Heath in St Helens on 6 April.

A respiratory nurse who was in the area at the time also came to her aid, and Ayda was flown to Alder Hey hospital.

She is now back at home, in what her mum Alex Price called "the best possible outcome" after "every parent's worst nightmare".

Ms Price said she was "so grateful" that Ayda had suffered no lasting damage.

"It has ended with the best possible outcome," she said.

Ayda gets a hug from her big brother John
Ayda has made a full recovery and is now back home with her family, including big brother John [Family handout]

Ms Price said she was particularly thankful to Merseyside Police's Targeted and Response teams, and to the nurse, Janet Grace.

Paramedics and the air ambulance crew "worked hard to give Ayda the best quality CPR" and Alder Hey staff had been "amazing", Ms Price said.

She added that after "the worst experience of [her] life" she was relieved Ayda's "strength and resilience had defied all odds", and that she was "so proud to be her mum".

Toddler Ayda pictured in hospital with respiratory nurse, Janet Grace
Respiratory nurse Janet Grace was nearby when Ayda fell into a lake in St Helens [Family handout]

Merseyside Police Det Insp Yoseph Al- Ramadhan said he was proud of the seven officers who saw and bravely rescued Ayda.

He said: “They were confronted with the most terrifying situation, they did not hesitate and without a second thought, they leapt into action to resuscitate Ayda."

Det Insp Al-Ramadhan added he was "in awe" of the officers and nurse Ms Grace.

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