A man has sadly died after suffering cardiac arrest at the summit of one of the North West’s most popular beauty spots over the weekend.
The man, who is said to be in his sixties, collapsed at the summit of Rivington Pike in Chorley, near to Bolton, yesterday morning (Sunday 21 May), and mountain rescue teams, air ambulances, and accompanying emergency services were called to the scene shortly around 8:30am.
Members of the public – including two nurses who happened to be nearby – had started CPR before any emergency services arrived.
But despite everyone’s best efforts, the man was unfortunately pronounced dead at the scene.
Bolton Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) confirmed in a statement shared to social media that its team were contacted at 8:29am by North West Ambulance Service requesting assistance at an incident at Rivington Pike following a 999 call “regarding a male reported to be in cardiac arrest”.
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It also confirmed that North West Air Ambulance had too been called to the scene.
“Our first team members and vehicles arrived at 08:53 to meet with the NWAA crew,” Bolton MRT continued in its statement, “Members of the public, including two nurses who happened to be nearby, had started CPR before the arrival of any emergency services.
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“Despite the best efforts of all involved, sadly the man died.
“Lancashire Police attended shortly afterwards, as is normal procedure. When initial enquiries were complete, Bolton MRT members conveyed the man to the waiting NWAS ambulance to George’s Lane at the bottom of Rivington Pike.”
Bolton MRT said its thoughts are “with the family and friends of the man who sadly lost his life”.
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The team also extended thanks to the “many members of public” out walking who kindly kept away from the scene of this incident”.
Man dies after collapsing at the summit of Rivington Pike near Bolton / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
A Lancashire Police spokesperson added: “We were called just after 9:20 am this morning by North West Ambulance Service who were responding to a report of a man collapsed in Rivington Country Park.
“Sadly, despite the best efforts of emergency responders and members of the public, a man in his 60s was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be passed to the coroner in due course. Our thoughts are with the man’s family at this time”.
Featured Image – Bolton MRT
News
Beloved local comedian Justin Moorhouse pays touching tribute to son Barney
Daisy Jackson
Justin Moorhouse has shared a touching tribute to his son, after announcing over the weekend that Barney had passed away.
The much-loved Tameside comedian wrote that the family are ‘besides themselves with grief’, before later sharing some of his favourite memories of his son, who was in his 20s.
Justin Moorhouse, who starred in Phoenix Nights and just recently performed at the Manchester Opera House on his ‘The Greatest Performance of My Life’ tour, described his son as ‘the sweetest, kindest soul’.
He wrote that Barney ‘just went to sleep and didn’t wake up’.
Following the heartbreaking news, Justin shared three of his fondest memories with his son, including a Flaming Lips gig in Leeds, Bleachers at the O2 Ritz in Manchester, and a trip to the US.
He wrote: “Some of my favourite memories of Barney are music gigs. I am so lucky to have enjoyed loads of stuff he did and obviously hates loads too!
“Luckily, he didn’t think I was too awkward to hang out with at gigs… How lucky I’ve been to have him.”
On Saturday, Justin Moorhouse shared: “It is with the heaviest of hearts I have to tell you our beautiful boy Barney has passed away. Me, his mum and step mum, his sister, cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents and his gorgeous friends are besides ourselves with grief.
“I am consoling myself as much as I can knowing that he loved us all and knew we loved him.
“He was so happy, content and excited about the future. The sweetest, kindest soul.
“He just went to sleep and didn’t wake up.
“I can’t imagine how the next days and weeks will unfold but I know we are able to cope – love always helps.
“I am him and he is me. Sleep tight Barney. Dad x
“Appreciate your kindness and sensitivity towards the family at this time.”
Government officially approves Eton’s plan to ‘remove barriers’ and open new FREE college in Oldham
Emily Sergeant
Eton’s plans to open a new free college in Oldham will officially go ahead following Government approval this week.
In case you need bringing up to speed a bit, plans for three new post-16 colleges – with the other two being in Dudley and Middlesborough – that are designed to help give young people who’ve done well in their GCSEs the opportunity to achieve the A-Levels they need to go to Oxbridge and other elite universities across the world were first announced back in March 2022, and then given the green light in August 2023.
Eton has partnered with Star Academies – which is said to be the highest-performing state school trust in the country – for the new colleges.
The colleges will aim to recruit ‘dynamic young people from deprived communities’, including in Oldham, and provide them with a ‘rigorous and rounded education’ that supports their ambitions to achieve places at ‘the very best universities’.
Oldham Council has welcomed the news that the new college – set to be named Eton Star Oldham – will go ahead, after the Government confirmed the conclusion of its national review into the proposals.
The decision means that Oldham will become one of the first places in the country to offer this new education model that combines high standards with strong partnerships and expanded opportunities for local young people.
The Government has officially approved Eton’s plan to open a new free college in Oldham / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Approval means pupils from every background will soon have access to the ‘very best’ opportunities.
Cllr Arooj Shah, who is the Leader of Oldham Coucil, said this is ‘great news’ for Oldham, adding: “Eton Star Oldham will give our young people access to life-changing opportunities, no matter their background or where they start in life.
“We have been clear throughout that this must be a college shaped with our young people, our parents and our communities.
“Now that the Government has confirmed it will go ahead, we will work closely with Eton College and Star Academies to make sure this delivers for Oldham’s children and opens doors for generations to come.”
Emily Sergeant -
22nd May 2023 
