Police have named the 16-year-old girl who died after a car plunged into the River Nene near Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. Eden Bunn was a rear-seat passenger in a blue VW Polo when it veered off the road on Tuesday evening at around 8.20pm.
Eden, from Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire, was described by her family as the “kindest, most loving girl we could ever wish for.” Her parents, Lisa and Dean, her brother Jay, sister Shelby, and nephew Axl paid tribute, saying, “Words cannot describe the tragedy that will stay with us until we can meet her again. Her horses – Daisy and Dolly – were her world, and she was ours.”
Mournful Search for Missing Driver Declan Berry
Meanwhile, the hunt is on for 18-year-old Declan Berry from Wisbech, believed to be the driver of the car. Police confirm the vehicle was carrying five people; three escaped and were rushed to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Two of those injured—a 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy—have since been discharged. A 16-year-old girl remains hospitalised.
Declan’s family released a statement through the police, expressing they are “absolutely devastated beyond words.”
Police Warn Search Could Take Time Amid River Challenges
Detective Inspector Craig Wheeler, from Cambridgeshire’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, warned the search for Declan “could be a timely process” due to the “challenging nature of the river.” Divers recovered Eden’s body on Wednesday, but Declan remains missing.
Wheeler appealed for anyone with information or dashcam footage of the blue VW Polo in the Wisbech area between 7pm and 8.20pm on Tuesday to come forward. He said: “This is a truly devastating collision, for all involved. Our thoughts are with Eden and Declan’s friends and family during this horrific time.”
Police have increased patrols along the River Nene as efforts continue to locate Declan.
Public Urged to Help with Investigation
Authorities are asking witnesses to contact police, referencing incident number 515 of March 17. The vehicle was travelling south on North Brink in Wisbech St Mary when it left the road, plunging into the river past a grassy bank.
Anyone with relevant information is urged to get in touch to aid the ongoing investigation and search operation.
