Body is found in canal during hunt for missing man
POLICE searching for missing man Anthony Agard have made a tragic discovery.
A man’s body was discovered in a canal near Rochdale town centre on Tuesday.
Greater Manchester Police believe the body to be that of missing man Mr Agard, who vanished after leaving his home last Friday night, possibly to pick up a takeaway.
Formal identification has not taken place but Anthony’s family have been informed.
The 46-year-old had not been seen since he left his house in the Marland area of Rochdale.
Mr Agard’s disappearance prompted a desperate appeal by his family to find him.
His wife Lee-Anne Agard was in contact with him via text message until around 10.30pm or 11pm on Friday, but his mobile phone has been off ever since.
A check of his online browsing history revealed he had accessed the ‘Just Eat’ website but hadn’t used it to order any food, friends said. As a result they believe he left home to walk for something to eat.
A man’s body was spotted in the Rochdale Canal, off Oldham Road, yesterday morning.
Paramedics were first at the scene followed shortly by the police.
A spokesman for North West Ambulance Service added: “We were contacted at 9.50am to reports of someone in the water.
“We sent a rapid response vehicle and an ambulance. The ambulance has now left the scene and did not take anyone to hospital.”
A GMP spokesman said: “Police were called at around 10.10am to reports that a body had been found in the canal near to Oldham Road, Rochdale.”
Officers say it is too early to say whether the death is being treated as suspicious.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 607 of 25/07/17, or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.