Arthur Freeman charged with murder of daughter in West Gate Bridge horror (Australia)

Man throws daughter over bridge, killing her Jan. 29, 2009

Original: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24978767-421,00.html

By staff writers NEWS.com.au January 29, 2009 05:50pm

'Suicidal' ... Arthur Freeman has been charged with murder. Jon Hargest / Herald Sun See more pictures from the scene

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A MAN charged with the murder of his daughter, whom he allegedly threw off Melbourne's West Gate Bridge, did not appear in court today because he was deemed suicidal.

Arthur Freeman, 36, was expected to appear in the Melbourne Magistrate's Court for a filing hearing, but the court heard he was unfit to be interviewed by police.

Mr Freeman was in an acute psychiatric state and there were concerns he may harm himself, the court heard.

Mr Freeman was arrested outside the Federal Court in Melbourne about 10.30am (AEDT).

A Royal Children's Hospital spokeswoman said Mr Freeman's daughter, named Darcy, died at 1.35pm.

Darcy was pulled from the water by police at about 9.30am after allegedly being thrown 58m from the bridge at 9.10am.

Mr Freeman was arrested after security staff noticed him standing in the foyer with his two sons, aged seven and 23 months.

Police were called and several officers arrested Mr Freeman, who offered no resistance.

Just before he was taken away, he asked security guards to look after his children.

At the time of his arrest, police had no indication Mr Freeman was connected to the West Gate Bridge incident.

Paramedic team manager Trevor Weston said paramedics worked on Darcy for almost an hour.

"Paramedics worked for about 50 minutes at the scene and the child was then conveyed to the Royal Children's Hospital," Mr Weston said.

She was airlifted to the Royal Children's Hospital in a critical condition with massive internal injuries.

Homicide squad Det-Insp Steve Clark said Mr Freeman's sons may have been in the car with him on the bridge.

He said the girl's mother, Peta Freeman, had been informed and was with police.

"She's currently assisting police the best she can in terrible, terrible circumstances," he said.

Det-Insp Clark said a number of witnesses had already come forward and were being interviewed by police.

Bridge security

Victorian Premier John Brumby said it was too early to think about extra security measures on the West Gate Bridge following the girl's death.

"To be honest people probably aren't thinking about those things. They're just thinking, they're feeling for the family and how this could have occurred," he said.

"I think every Victorian, you just shudder, you just think how could that happen and it's just such a terrible thing.

"All Victorians' hearts would go out to the family, to the child ... we just hope and pray."

With the Herald Sun and AAP