Cobden Bridge 'attempted murder': What we know so far

Officers were called just after 3.30pm yesterday following reports that an adult had gone into the water with two youngsters near Cobden Bridge.

All three people were pulled from the water and treated at the scene by paramedics.

Police later confirmed that a 31-year-old woman from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. She remains in custody.

Emergency services at the scene of the incident at Cobden Bridge (Image: Newsquest.)

A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesperson said: "This was an isolated incident and there are no wider threats to the community."

Asked if the police could confirm the relationship between the woman and the children, as well as the age and gender of the children, the spokesperson said: "We’re not disclosing any further details at this stage."

The incident resulted in Cobden Bridge being closed in both directions and shocked the local community.

Connor Sherman, 25, manager of Tidal Vape in The Triangle, said: "All of a sudden there were police, fire and ambulance everywhere. They swarmed the park and closed off the bridge.

“It’s a bit of shock but at the same time it isn’t. I read the Echo quite a lot and these things are happening much more often.

“It’s quite worrying when you think about it, to hear that something like that has happened. I have twin daughters and hearing that just makes my stomach turn.”

Cobden Bridge was closed in both directions while police investigated the incident (Image: Newsquest.)

Toby Rogers, 31, who was walking his dog at Riverside Park, described the incident as "terrifying".

He added: "We don’t know what happened in this situation but you hope that whoever is involved gets the help they need."

A business owner, who did not want to be named, said: “We had people come out of the park saying that there were two kids and a woman in the water. 

“I just thought they had fallen into the water. I didn’t think much of it.

"It’s not something you expect to hear everyday. It’s quite scary when you think about it.

“This place is a community and when you hear things like this it just makes you think the world is getting worse and worse."

READ MORE: Police statement in full as attempted murder probe launched

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) said a number of casualties were treated by paramedics.

At the time a spokesperson said: "St Mary’s firefighters were called to assist police at an incident at Riverside Park by Cobden Bridge at around quarter to four this afternoon. 

"Crews left the scene and returned to station following the stop message at 16:13."

The Coastguard also attended but were not needed by the time they arrived.