A man's body was found in a canal in Ashton-under-Lyne on Tuesday afternoon (June 20). Emergency services swarmed the Asda car park and neighbouring streets beside the Ashton Canal at around 4.30pm.
Police and the fire service, including the Technical Response Unit, attended the scene, near Lower Wharf Street, after receiving reports of a body in the water. A man was pronounced dead at the scene.
A number of police vehicles, including forensics, remained at the scene beside the water as investigations were carried out, with the towpath beside the canal taped off.
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Video footage showed the moment the huge response arrived on blue lights at the nearby Asda car park as horrified shoppers watched on.
Following the tragic discovery, forensics in white suits were pictured beside the canal as officers took pictures from the scene amid the ongoing investigations.
Greater Manchester Police say detectives are still working to identify the man and the circumstances surrounding his death. Anyone with any information is being urged to contact them.
A spokesperson for the force said: "At around 4.40pm today (Tuesday 20 June 2023) officers were called to reports of a body found in a canal on Cavendish Street, Ashton-Under-Lyne. Officers and emergency services attended but a man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
"A scene is in place whilst police enquiries are ongoing to establish the man's identity and to understand the circumstances leading up to his death."
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) added: “Just after 4.30pm this afternoon (Tuesday 20th June), two fire engines from Gorton and Stalybridge fire station along with the Technical Response Unit and a support fire engine from Ashton were called to an incident on Lower Warf Street, Ashton. Firefighters were in attendance for around an hour and ten minutes.”
Anyone who can help police with their enquiries are asked to dial 101 quoting log number 2998 of 20 June 2023.
