A son has told of the agonising moment he felt his dad's heart stop - just days after he had been found covered in blood in the street.
Dad-of-five Wayne Hopwood, 49, was found seriously injured on Mevagissey Walk in the Greenacres area of Oldham in the early hours of January 12. He was taken to hospital in a critical condition - before his family made the heartbreaking decision to turn off his life support after doctors said he sustained 'irreversible' injuries.
His eldest son Brett Holt, 29, had returned home from work at around 2pm that Thursday expecting to see his dad, who he has lived with all his life. When he arrived, he noticed the dog hadn't been fed and Wayne's wallet was on the side. He instantly knew something was wrong.
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"I felt it in my gut. Something was telling me something bad had happened straight away - I just had a feeling," Brett told the Manchester Evening News.
"I lived with my dad and I know him better than anyone. I had called the police and reported him as missing earlier that day.
"Later that night at about 8pm police called me to say they had found an unidentified male who had been taken to hospital. A woman had seen him in the street and he had been asking for help and called the police."
Officers were called to the scene at around 4.20am where they found 49-year-old Wayne. A 37-year-old man had initially been arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, but he has since been bailed. Police said they are not currently treating it as a murder investigation, but that enquiries are still ongoing.
Wayne remained in a critical condition in Salford Royal Hospital until January 14. Brett said doctors told them his injuries were 'irreversible' and the family made the decision to switch off his life support.
Brett added: "It meant people had the chance to come and say goodbye. He had so much love and family surrounding him.
"I put my hand on his chest and felt his heartbeat stop. It is what he would've wanted - he was such an energetic character who was a free spirit and full of life and always smiling."
Following Wayne's death, heartfelt tributes began flooding in on social media for the dad-of-five, who has three other sons and a daughter, who was described as 'full of life' and 'always wanting to help others.' He also had a nickname, known as 'Hoppy' to family and friends. Seeing the tributes is something his son Brett and the rest of the family has found 'comforting'.
"I've been seeing so many posts online and finding things out about him I didn't know. I have found comfort in all these stories. He was such a community man who knew everyone in Greenacres. He was a massive character who was full of life," Brett added.
"He'd always do anything for anyone - decorating, house sitting, taking their children to the park for them. He was such a family man with a good heart.
"The response shows how loved and popular my dad was. We are all still shocked by the circumstances he was found in. We still have no closure or any idea what has happened."
The week after his death, close friends and family met close to where he was found to release balloons into the sky and light lanterns in memory of Wayne. They have also made a memorial garden to remember him. His son Brett has been fundraising to help pay for his dad's funeral, with donations able to be made online.
Following the incident, Greater Manchester Police said they were appealing for witnesses. Anyone in the local area in the early hours of January 12, or who may have witnessed suspicious behaviour or have any CCTV footage is being urged to contact the force.
Police said they were 'looking at every possible scenario that could have taken place that evening' as they appealed for information to help 'piece together a chain of events.'
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or submit information at www.gmp.police.uk quoting log 343 of 12/01/2023. Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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