Child 'thrown from Melbourne bridge'

A four-year-old girl allegedly thrown from Melbourne's West Gate Bridge has died.

A Royal Children's Hospital spokeswoman said the girl died at 1.35pm (AEDT) today.

Police say a 36-year-old Hawthorn man has been charged with murder and will face the Melbourne Magistrates' Court later today.

The girl was rescued from the Yarra River this morning after she was allegedly thrown over the West Gate Bridge.

Water police reached the injured girl in the Yarra River within 10 minutes of the fall.

She was treated by paramedics before being airlifted to the Royal Children's Hospital in a critical condition, but later died.

The 36-year-old Hawthorn man was spotted with a Landcruiser and two children near the Federal Court in central Melbourne about 10.30am.

He was taken into custody and interviewed by police before being charged with one count of murder.

The girl's mother had been informed of the situation, Detective Inspector Clark said.

Det Insp Clark said the incident was "particularly distressing" for both family members and witnesses.

"This is a dreadful set of circumstances and often you think you've seen it all but you haven't," he said.

aap 15:00 29 Jan 2009

The general purpose of this blog was not to explore the child custody disputes / family law rulings, but the horrific nature of this crime has to be mentioned, together with the rulings and attitudes of the Law Makers which result in these extreme deeds.

Whilst there are NO EXCUSES, in the majority of cases where the 'unstable' male does a deed of desperation in an 'unfit' moment, is usually due to a custody dispute where the male is second rate.