News

Family pay tribute to father-of-two killed in Rochdale plane crash

He was about to embark on a new chapter with a commercial airline.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 9th February 2026

The family of a man killed in a light aircraft crash in Rochdale have paid tribute to a ‘deeply loving father and devoted husband’.

36-year-old Arian Abbasi was one of two men killed when an aircraft crashed into farmland in Littleborough in Rochdale last week, after travelling from Birmingham.

Emergency services rushed to the scene shortly after 11am on Tuesday 3 February, but sadly pronounced both men dead at the scene.

It’s believed there was no one else on board the aircraft, and there were no reported injuries on the ground.

Now, Arian’s family have issued a moving tribute to him. He was a pilot from Harrow in Greater London.

ADVERTISEMENT

They described him as being a ‘deeply loving’ family man, whose passion was flying.

He was about to embark on a new chapter with a commercial airline in just a few weeks’ time.

ADVERTISEMENT

His family said: “He lived his life for his family and friends, giving them his constant love, strength, and support.

“Flying was his passion, and he was on the brink of beginning an exciting new chapter with a commercial airline on 23 February; a dream he had worked toward with immense pride and determination.”

GMP investigations are now focused on finding part of the parachute system which contains propellant and hasn’t yet been located.

ADVERTISEMENT

Finding the device has been ‘very difficult’ due to the nature of the terrain and the wide area over which it may have travelled.

It measures approximately 10 cm in diameter and 30 cm long and has a red anodised finish. It weighs less than 2 kg. It may have a silver metal collar attached at one end.

GMP said: “Please do not handle the device if you see it. If discovered, contact the police immediately via 101 or our Live Chat at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1056 of 03/02/26.”

Read more

Featured image: GMP

News

Homeless children in Greater Manchester will now get free bus travel to and from school

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Children who are currently living in temporary housing in Greater Manchester are set to get extra support with school travel.

In a move that was announced by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) at the end of last week, and following years of campaigning, homeless children living in temporary accommodation are now set to get free school travel on all Bee Network buses.  

TfGM says it understands that some children end up a long way from their school when placed into temporary accommodation, and this leaves parents or carers with the difficult choice of either having to move them to a closer school, which ultimately disrupts their education, or having to pay unexpected travel costs.

While the Greater Manchester Strategy – which is the plan for the city region’s next decade – commits to reducing the number of families and children in temporary accommodation, and measures are also being taken to make sure residents have the support they need to ‘access, improve, and retain’ a decent, affordable home, this doesn’t tackle the immediate issue.

Homeless children in Greater Manchester will now get free school bus travel / Credit: TfGM

So, to help those families when they ‘need it most’, free bus travel to and from school is set to be provided, as subject to approval of this year’s Combined Authority budget.

The move comes after Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham asked TfGM last year to look at options to help with the cost of travel.

“Using our locally-controlled Bee Network buses to support families when they need it most is the right thing to do,” Andy Burnham commented.

“A move into temporary accommodation is often a massive upheaval for families and can be a worrying time. With this measure, the cost of travel to school will be one less thing for families to worry about.

“It will mean parents and carers don’t have to choose between an extra demand on their household budget and keeping their children with friends and teachers they know and trust.”

Read more:

TfGM will now work with local Councils across the region to agree the details and implement the scheme this year.

Further details are set to be announced in due course.

News

Greater Manchester restaurant speaks out after being paid a visit by Nigel Farage

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Vault 2 in Denton has issued a statement after being paid a visit by Nigel Farage. Credit: The Manc Group

A restaurant in Greater Manchester has issued a lengthy statement after it was paid a visit by Nigel Farage on his campaign trail.

Vault 2, a family-run business in Denton, has said that it’s been bombarded with negative messages since the Reform party leader was photographed inside the restaurant.

Farage had made appearances at a number of local businesses in Tameside, alongside the party’s candidate, Matt Goodwin.

Vault 2 stressed in its statement about Nigel Farage that it is ‘a restaurant, not a political platform’, adding: “We hold no prejudice toward anyone – regardless of political views, race, background, creed, or beliefs. Everyone is welcome through our doors, and anyone may privately hire our venue. That has always been the case and will remain so.”

The restaurant also clarified that it was not a hosted event that Farage attended, nor were they endorsing or supporting him by allowing him to ‘call in’.

Vault 2 added: “It is genuinely upsetting, after everything we have done – and continue to do – for this town, to receive accusations of favouritism or messages saying you’ll never visit us again based on this.”

The restaurant then said that it takes ‘no political stance, shows no favour, and aligns with no party’ – though critics have pointed out that its Facebook page had shared a Reform post just before making this statement.

Inside Vault 2
Inside Vault 2 last year
Food at Vault 2
Food at Vault 2
Vault 2 has issued a statement about the Nigel Farage visit. Credit: The Manc

Vault 2 signed off its statement by saying: “Whether you vote left, right, centre, or not at all — you are welcome here. Food first. Hospitality always. Thank you x.”

One person commented on the post: “If your doors are open to fascists, then your doors are closed to their targets. I sincerely hope your business suffers for it.”

Another said: “How can you ‘create a welcoming space’ if you welcome people whose aim to create the exact opposite.”

And someone else said: “This would be more believable if you weren’t liking Reform posts on Facebook. If you take no political stance and align with no party, maybe don’t like posts about Goodwin from your business account. We see you.”

But several people showed support for Vault 2, with one writing: “Well said – shame on those sending negativity – the keyboard warriors need to take a break and disappear!”

Vault 2's statement in full addressing the visit from Nigel Farage. Credit: Instagram @vault2_barandbistro
Vault 2’s statement in full addressing the visit from Nigel Farage. Credit: Instagram @vault2_barandbistro

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

More News

Audio

Ticket requests are now officially open for Harry Styles’ one-night-only Manchester gig

News

Oldham RLFC chairman to step aside following ‘stadium ban’ and winding-up petition

City Centre

Timings and road closures announced for Manchester’s Chinese New Year Dragon Parade 2026

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches