Three families were given the most devastating news by police after the bodies of two teenagers and a woman were pulled from different bodies of water across Greater Manchester in two days of tragedy.
Specialist rescue units along with police scoured a lake, reservoir and river over the weekend after reports that the three people, two boys aged 15 and a woman, in her 60s, had all been reported as missing after entering water.
Major scenes were put in place amid desperate rescue missions in Clifton Country Park, the Cowbury Reservoir in Stalybridge and Island Lodge area in Tottington, Bury. Tragically all three people were later recovered from the water and pronounced dead.
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The alarm was first raised when officers were called to reports of a 15-year-old boy getting in to difficulty in the water in the River Irwell in Clifton Country Park at around 4.51pm on Saturday (June 27). TAU officers and water rescue units attended the incident and put a scene in place as a frantic search began.
It was reported that a group of teenagers were at the water at the time. A teenage girl is understood to have been pulled out of the water by friends. She’s thought to be unhurt, but traumatised. Reports also suggested another boy who went into the water managed to get himself out during the incident.
‘No swimming’ signs are up on the bridge’s railings and on fencing around the land leading down to the water at the beauty spot. Specialist police divers, the Tactical Aid Unit and a drone were used in a major search operation.
Just hours later and as the search continued, police were then deployed to the Cowbury Reservoir in Stalybridge at around 6.30pm following reports of another teenage boy who had gotten into difficulty after entering the water. Posters and signs warning of fatal open-water incidents and urging people against swimming are littered around the site.
His body was sadly later recovered. Police confirmed formal identification had taken place and the boy’s family had been made aware, however he has not yet been named publicly.
Chief Inspector Baxter, of GMP, said the news was ‘devastating’, and added: “My thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the young boy who sadly lost his life in such awful circumstances.
“We are confident that there are no suspicious circumstances and that this is such a sad reminder of the dangers of entering open water.”
Meanwhile, Reform Councillor Liam Duff said the local community had been left ‘heartbroken’ following the news as he issued another warning about water safety. In a post on social media he penned: “The tragic death of a 15-year-old boy at Cowbury Reservoir has left our whole community heartbroken.
“My thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family, friends and everyone who knew and loved him. I cannot begin to imagine the pain they are going through. As a community, we owe it to him and to every family to ask whether more can be done to help prevent tragedies like this from happening again.”
The search for the teenager continued in Clifton throughout Sunday (June 28), before police were alerted to another incident in Bury.
During the evening, a woman in her 60s was then sadly pulled from water. Emergency crews had been called to the Island Lodge area in Tottington at around 8.20pm. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a large police presence on the scene. A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said the force responded to reports of a body in the water close to Mill Street.
“At around 8.20pm last night (28 June), officers responded to reports of a body in the water close to Mill Street, Tottington,” GMP said. “Sadly, the body of a woman in her 60s was recovered from the water. There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.”
Tragedy then struck for a third time when Greater Manchester Police confirmed the body of the first boy, aged 15, had eventually been found in the River Irwell in Clifton Country Park following a search lasting more than 24 hours. Specialist police divers, the Tactical Aid Unit and a drone were used in a major search operation throughout Saturday night and Sunday.
“We have been working our emergency service colleagues from GMFRS and NWAS,” police said. “Sadly, a body has been located in the water today (Monday 29 June) and recovered from the North West Under Water Search and Marine Unit. Whilst formal identification has yet to take place, specialist officers are supporting the family at this difficult time.
Meanwhile, Detective Inspector Dave Ogden from Salford CID also issued a further warning about water safety. In a statement, he 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.”
The tragedies now bring the number of open water deaths reported in the UK during the recent June heatwave to at least nine. Police and fire service bosses have again stressed the dangers of swimming in, or entering, open water – warning strong currents, low water temperatures and debris beneath the surface can all prove fatal.
These come just weeks after the UK witnessed another heatwave, in May, which saw a tragic 19 people lose their lives in open water. Many of them were children.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, meanwhile, urged people ‘to have an honest conversation with the young people in their lives’ about open water safety. Area Manager Steve Jordan said: “The risks are real, and the consequences can be fatal.”
“The thoughts of everyone in our service are with the family and friends affected by separate incidents in our waterways. These are upsetting reminders of how quickly situations can become dangerous around open water.
“Even on warm days, the water is cold enough to cause cold water shock – which can make you inhale water and affect your movement – if you jump in, fall in or enter the water suddenly. And there could be dangerous objects and strong currents beneath the surface.
“I am urging everyone to have an honest conversation with the young people in their lives. Please remind them that jumping into and swimming in our rivers, reservoirs, lakes, canals and quays can be extremely dangerous, particularly if they are not a strong swimmer.”
Water-safety information can be found at the GMFRS website here.
