Drowning victim named

The toddler who drowned in a ditch near an Ashburton farm house has been named. She was 13-month-old Grace Marie Griffin. Emergency services were called to the incident on Maronan Valetta Rd about 5.20pm on Sunday. Stuff understands Griffin was found unresponsive in the ditch, known as a water race, which is about 50 metres from the house. A rescue helicopter flew her to Christchurch Hospital, but she later died. Her death has been referred to the coroner. Griffin’s family requested privacy. Senior Sergeant Matt Emery said police had finished examining the scene and had spoken to all witnesses yesterday morning. It was too early to say what exactly happened, he said. ‘‘Everything is leading towards an absolute tragic accident at this stage.’’