Early this morning at 07.55hrs, the Greater Manchester Police Force Incident Manager contacted our Team Leader via mobile phone regarding the report of a “body in the water” in the vicinity of Deansgate train station, in Manchester City Centre.

In actual fact, the sighting had been reported at 16:50 on Saturday evening, from a passenger on a Liverpool to Manchester train who reported seeing a pair of legs in the water, as the train approached Deansgate station.

A search by GMP officers and the GMP force helicopter (India 99) began that night and was completed with nothing found. Bolton MRT were then called the following morning to continue the search of the area and surrounding canals and rivers (of which there are many contained within a relatively small area).

21 team members responded to this search along with the team’s canoe search unit. The many waterways and the areas immediately surrounding them (including the Bridgewater Canal, Manchester Ship Canal, the former Pomona Docks and the River Irwell) were searched by the team, with the first search area commencing at 11:17 and the last search area completed at 14:04.

With nothing found matching the description given on the surface of the water, no items found on the banksides, and no persons reported missing to the Police, the search was concluded with a negative result, and it is assumed that this was a “False alarm, with good intent” call.

Throughout this search operation the team was assisted by a GMP Missing Person Search Manager, a GMP Dog Unit and a GMP Liaison Officer. (the on duty Manchester City Centre Sgt)

Special thanks on this search to Bolton MRT Support Group member Gillian Gregory who gave up her Sunday morning and early afternoon to provide catering for the team members and Police Officers involved in this operation, from our Catering Trailer.