Search for boy at Clifton Country Park to resume tomorrow morning

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said emergency services were called to the park at around 4.49pm on Saturday (June 27).

Today, the search continued with a specialist underwater unit looking for the boy in the River Irwell.

Throughout the day, concerned members of the public stopped by the police cordon to ask officers for any updates.

One man told The Bolton News: “It’s so sad. People don’t realise how dangerous the water down there is.”

Officers will remain at Clifton Country Park overnight (Image: Phil Taylor)

We remained at the scene until 5.30pm, when the specialist underwater search unit stood down for the evening.

An officer said: “The search unit has left for the evening and will recommence in the morning.

“Officers will remain at the scene overnight.”

The search is expected to resume at around 7am tomorrow.

The specialist underwater unit will return in the morning (Image: Phil Taylor)

The incident comes after another water tragedy elsewhere in Greater Manchester.

The body of a 15-year-old boy was recovered from Cowbury Reservoir in Stalybridge after he got into difficulty in the water.

Police were called to the reservoir at around 6.30pm on Saturday (June 27) following reports of a teenager struggling in the water.

Emergency services at Clifton Country Park (Image: Phil Taylor)

Emergency services, including Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), attended the scene before specialist teams recovered the boy’s body from the water.

This week six people have died after getting into difficulty while swimming in open water.

Chief Inspector Helen Baxter said: “We remind the public to please avoid being tempted to cool off in reservoirs, rivers, canals or ponds.

“We all want to enjoy the warm weather. Please make sure you do so in a safe way.”