Body of 15-year-old boy pulled from water at Clifton Country Park

A huge police search operation was carried out in the Salford beauty spot

The body of a 15-year-old boy has been pulled from water at a country park in Salford.

A huge search operation was launched just before 5pm on Saturday (June 27) following reports of a boy getting into difficulty in the River Irwell. Underwater search teams worked on the scene throughout Sunday and Monday, with sniffer dogs also pictured scouring the area.

Sadly today, search teams found the boy’s body in the water. The boy has not yet been formally identified but the family are being supported by specialist officers, a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said.

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The body was recovered by the North West Under Water Search and Marine Unit. Police believe there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the boy’s death.

Detective Inspector Dave Ogden, from Salford CID, said: “Saturday’s incident is truly heart breaking, and my thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of the young boy who has so tragically lost his life. While we are satisfied there are no suspicious circumstances, this incident is an incredibly upsetting reminder of the serious risks associated with open water.

“We understand people want to make the most of the warm weather, but we would urge everyone to stay safe and avoid entering reservoirs, rivers, canals or ponds. Please take care and enjoy the weather in a safe way.”

This was the third tragic water-related death in Greater Manchester across the weekend. The body of a teenage boy was recovered from a reservoir in Tameside.

The discovery followed a huge response by the emergency services around Cowbury Reservoir in Stalybridge on Saturday evening. Police, in a statement issued on Sunday, said emergency services were called to reports of the boy getting into difficulty in the water at the reservoir.

On Sunday evening, the body of a woman was also sadly pulled from water in Bury. Emergency crews were called to the Island Lodge area in Tottington at around 8.20pm on Sunday evening (June 28).

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said the force responded to reports of a body in the water close to Mill Street. The woman’s body was recovered and she was sadly pronounced dead.

The woman was aged in her 60s, the GMP spokesperson added. There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding her death