Police cordoned off a playing field after the body of a 46-year-old woman was tragically found near a river bank in Bury. Emergency services descended on the Goshen Playing Field, beside the River Roch on Sunday morning (November 19) when the discovery was made.
Police and fire crews, along with water search teams, had been nearby the evening before, beside Newby Close in Bury, after being called at around around 5.15pm.
Emergency services responded to a concern for the welfare of a woman, with the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service confirming they had attended to assist in a rescue of a person from the water.
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Police later returned to the scene nearby on Sunday and cordoned off a large area beside the water, with a forensics tent also erected.
Water search teams were also in attendance as attempts to find the woman continued before her body was found on the banking beside the river on Sunday morning. A scene remained in place throughout the day amid investigations to establish how the woman died.
Following the tragedy, local councillor Tamoor Tariq said in a statement: "I know there are many people in the local community who overnight and this morning and afternoon have become increasingly concerned about the person who emergency services have tried to locate since yesterday afternoon in and around the River Roch area.
"It is with regret, a body matching her description has been recovered by police. I know everyone’s thoughts will be with her, her family and friends at this sad time. This is quite clearly a very tragic incident and terribly sad news that none of us wanted to hear.
"I would like to put on record thanks to the emergency services, who responded in the most efficient and diligent manner that I have ever seen in my 13 years as a councillor. Greater Manchester Police, Northwest Ambulance and Greatest Manchester Fire and Rescue allocated unprecedented amount of resources to help save and rescue this person, and this didn’t prove possible despite their efforts.
"There has also been input from the police’s boat rescue team, GMP tactical dog unit, and the police’s underwater diving team too and their efforts should be commended to. Our thoughts and prayers I know will be with the deceased, and her family and friends at this time."
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "Police were called to reports of a concern for welfare at Newby Close in Bury on Saturday 18 November 2023.
"Sadly, officers found a body of a 46-year-old woman on banking near the Roch River. Her next of kin have been informed. A scene remains in place. Enquiries into the exact circumstances of her death are ongoing."
