Whilst team members were en-route to our usual Wednesday evening outdoor training event, we became aware of an urgent search operation commencing on the shores of Anglezarke Reservoir for a missing man in the water.

Our involvement in this incident commenced at 19:46 and initially it involved our Deputy Team Leader Geoff Seddon liaising with the initial responders.

It became apparent that a tragic accident had befallen a family party when a young girl fell into the waters of the reservoir and a 34 year old man entered the water to save her.

The man involved rescued the young girl but tragically got into difficulties.

A large scale multi agency search response was mounted with the tragic outcome that the man’s body was located underwater by a Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service rescue boat team at around 21:45.

Our team’s role in this event involved an initial search operation of the shallower water, lighting at the scene, traffic control measures, and various tasks at the tragic incident scene itself.

Involved in this incident was 31 members of our team and our 4 team vehicles, Fire appliances from Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service including their Water Rescue Unit, Major Incident Support Unit, and pump appliances from Preston, Chorley and Penwortham fire stations. An emergency ambulance NWAS Lancashire attended alongside a very senior NWAS officer. Numerous police officers from Lancashire Constabulary also attended including their Air Support Unit helicopter (which conducted a search of the water surface). Great assistance was also provided by the local farmer including opening up locked access gates.

The team’s involvement in this incident ended at 23:00.

The team’s condolences are expressed to all members of the family involved in this very tragic accident.