Police divers called after fears of person in the water

EMERGENCY TEAMS SCRAMBLED AFTER REPORTS OF ‘PERSON IN DIFFICULTY’

SPECIALIST search teams scrambled to a quiet residential street last night following reports of a person getting into difficulty in water.

A huge emergency services response raced to Crowswood Drive, in Stalybridge, shortly after 6.30pm.

Further details about the casualty involved have not yet been confirmed.

Specialist search teams from the fire service and Greater Manchester Police were deployed to the scene, at Carrbrook Angling Club.

Witnesses described them arriving ‘within minutes’ of hearing people screaming for help.

A large cordon was erected on Crowswood Drive, from the junction with Whimberry Drive. Technical response units, multiple fire engines and the GMP’s underwater search unit were in attendance at the scene.

It follows on from another day of hot temperatures across the region. In recent weeks, campaigns from Greater Manchester Police and the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service have warned of the dangers of open water.

The initial call was made shortly before 6.30pm on Monday, with the extensive search expected to continue throughout the night. An underwater drone was also brought in to grid search the waters.

One visibly distressed woman, who lives just metres away from the cordon, said: “As soon as I looked outside I knew something was wrong. People don’t realise the dangers of open water, it’s so scary. As soon as it’s hot people don’t realise how it can take your life.”

“This is heartbreaking” said another woman. “It makes you not want to let your kids away from the front porch. We keep hearing stories of people drowning in open water.

“They don’t understand the dangers of it.”

The North Ambulance Service (NWAS) said they had sent ‘a number of resources’ including the Hazardous Area Response Team to the incident. Police confirmed the search was likely to continue throughout the night.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “We were called shortly before 6.30pm to a report of a person getting into difficulty in water off Crowswood Drive, Stalybridge.

“Emergency services and specialist search teams are at the scene.”