Locals have spoken of their shock and sadness after a man's body was discovered at a popular south Manchester nature reserve.
Those living near Chorlton Water Park described seeing a large number of emergency vehicles entering the park's main entrance on Maitland Avenue early this morning (Monday) after the alarm was raised.
Police said they were called to the park at around 8am after reports of a body in the water at the park, which has a large lake in its centre.
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GMP confirmed they later recovered the body of a man. In-depth enquiries to establish his identity were this morning due to get underway. The force said at this stage they do not believe the death to be suspicious.
The park remained closed this afternoon as officers dealt with the aftermath and carried out enquiries. And neighbours told the Manchester Evening News that they had been left shocked and upset at today's tragic news.
One said: "I was going out about half 8 this morning and I was walking down the road I saw a fire engine coming the other way and then more police turned up so I knew it was something serious.
"I have come to expect to anything around here. I have lived here for years and once saw them physically pulling a body from the water and that has never left me. It's just very, very sad. My thoughts are with his family that's all I can say."
Another said: "I saw all the emergency services coming this morning. There was around five police cars, two vans, an ambulance, and two or three fire engines.
"At that stage, we didn't know what had happened, and the police wouldn't tell us anything, but we obviously knew it wasn't good. Especially with the scale of the response and how they kept coming in succession.
"It's awfully sad but not unexpected I would say. I think there has been at least four bodies recovered here over the years. And there is so much that goes on.
"Until the coroner speaks about it we won't know exactly what's happened. But anytime anyone loses their life its a tragedy and this is no different."
One woman said: "Sometime between 8am and 9am it was, first police cars, then there was an ambulance then the fire brigade. There are always lots of people comings up and down here and we were in the dark about what had happened but we knew it was clearly something significant.
"It's difficult to say too much when we don't know what's happened but it's not nice at all."
One man said: "I went out to walk my dog this morning and only got as far as the park gates and they said it was all closed and I had turn back. I'm just shocked and am so sorry for them and their family."
Another man said: "It's a real shame, I'm just really sorry to hear what has happened."
One local said on the M.E.N Facebook page: "So sorry to hear this. Don't live too far from here it hits home more. Praying it's not anyone I know. Rest well. xx"
