Greater Manchester's chief fire officer has paid tribute to 'popular and valued' firefighter Daniel Lee after his body was found in the River Irwell. The senior firefighter went missing in the early hours of Monday morning after a night out with colleagues in Manchester city centre.
Having searched the area throughout the week, Mr Lee's body was sadly found earlier today (August 25). His next-of-kin have been informed, Greater Manchester Police confirmed.
The 41-year-old, known as Dan to his colleagues, had served in Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) for 16 years. In a tribute issued this evening, chief fire officer Dave Russel said: "Everyone at GMFRS is shocked and deeply saddened by the untimely death of our colleague Watch Manager Dan Lee.
READ MORE: Body found in search for missing firefighter Daniel Lee
"Our thoughts are with Dan's family and friends, as they have been over the past few days as the search for him has taken place. This is a tragic end to a very difficult week and not the outcome we all so desperately hoped for.
"On behalf of GMFRS, I want to thank GMP for their efforts in the search for Dan, as well as colleagues from across GMFRS and residents and partners from across our city region who have supported the search. Dan, who served with GMFRS for 16 years, was a popular and valued member of our GMFRS family and he will be greatly missed."
Tributes were also left on the M.E.N. Facebook page. Natashja Lee wrote: "Rip Daniel, our family will never be the same without you, sleep tight."
Hundreds more readers expressed their sympathies to the family. And taking to Twitter, Labour MP for Worsley and Eccles South, Barbara Keeley posted: "This is very sad news. Rest in Peace Daniel Lee Sending sympathy to Daniel's family and friends."
Mr Lee worked as watch manager for Agecroft fire station, in Salford. His colleagues in the fire service were among searching for Mr Lee and appealing for help finding him on social media.
On Wednesday, his family issued a heartfelt plea to find him, revealing it was his daughter's sixth birthday. Mr Lee had two children and two step-children.
Mr Lee had been seen walking at Saint Mary's Parsonage, near Crazy Pedro's, shortly after 1am on Monday. His family said he had been in Mojos bar and was last seen on CCTV near Parsonage Gardens, with his phone last tracked to near the Lowry Hotel in Salford.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- Mum on her heartbreaking last moments with 'incredible' daughter as she died in hospital bed next to her
- 'Huge search and rescue operation' in Bury in early hours
- Road taped off in Denton with emergency services at scene
- Dad who died after stabbing was 'killed by his own knife', inquest hears
- Stockport life captured in brilliant throwback photos - from dinner ladies to David Beckham
