A 39-year-old woman from Manchester has has died after reportedly immersing herself into a river as part of a cold water therapy session.
The woman – who was confirmed to be from Manchester, but has not been named – was said to have died at the scene after paramedics were called to attend a riverside in the Peak District on Monday afternoon, where she was taking part in a cold water therapy session run by a company used by a number of local famous names.
East Midlands Ambulance Service and Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said they were called to a “medial emergency” at Bankside, in the Bridgemont area of Whaley Bridge, at 15:43 on Monday.
A spokesperson for Derbyshire Constabulary confirmed: “At about 4.15pm on April 25, paramedics called us to the riverside off the B0602 between Bridgemont and Furness Vale, where they were treating a woman who had been in the water.
“The woman sadly died at the scene. A file is being prepared for the coroner. She was 39.”
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The cold water therapy session was confirmed to have been run by Kevin O’Neill of Breatheolution – whose previous clients include Coleen Rooney, actor Stephen Graham, and and former Manchester United defender Chris Smalling.
Emergency services were called to a “medial emergency” at Bankside in the Bridgemont area of Whaley Bridge / Credit: Google Maps
The Breatheloution website claims the therapy sessions are “proving to have a significant effect on clients”, with some of the benefits including helping sports injuries and anxiety.
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Mr O’Neill told The Sun of the tragic incident: “I am heartbroken. I’ve not slept and I’m finding it hard to process.
“I cannot stop thinking about her family. It’s tragic.”
Following the news of the tragic incident, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued a public warning to remind people of the dangers of entering open water and cold water shock, with Group Manager Lee Williams adding that the region’s many open water sites “all have hidden dangers”.
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He pointed to the open water sites each having strong currents and hidden debris, which “could cause entrapment”.
If you see somebody in trouble in the water – don't enter the water to try and rescue them 📱 Call 999 or 112 🚁 Ask for the Coastguard when at the coast 🚒 Ask for the Fire Service if you're inland#BeWaterAware#RespectTheWaterpic.twitter.com/dLOVuH6OhB
— National Fire Chiefs Council (@NFCC_FireChiefs) April 25, 2022
He continued: “The temperature of open water is also a danger. Even the strongest of swimmers can get into difficultly as cold-water shock causes muscles to cramp, breathing can become difficult and heart rates can increase, this can cause people to panic and lead to drowning.
“If you do enter open water and get into difficulty, use the ‘Float to Live’ technique.
“Lay on your back, put your arms and legs out and float, this will allow you to calm your breathing, gain control and either call for help, or swim to safety.”
An inquest is expected to be opened into the woman’s death.
Featured Image – Google Maps
News
More than £2 million in compensation received by underpaid workers in the North West
Danny Jones
More than £2 million is said to have been dished out in compensation to workers in the North West alone, as the UK government is continuing to crack down on employers underpaying their staff.
Employees from nearly 500 different companies across the region have received the money they owed following a raft of fines in excess of £2.7 million.
Covering the likes of Greater Manchester and beyond, the companies responsible have been revealed by the government as part of the new Fair Work Agency (FWA), which is tasked with shoring up workers’ rights moving forward.
The FWA is part of Labour’s wider ‘Plan For Change’, and hopes not only to correctly reimburse those short-changed but also, with the clear threat of swift action, deter others from trying to do the same in the future.
Matthew Taylor CBE has been appointed Chair of the Fair Work Agency, a new body that will transform how employment rights are enforced across the UK.
How? By tackling exploitation, supporting businesses doing the right thing, and helping to build a fairer labour market. pic.twitter.com/duEeNlwDHr
— Department for Business and Trade (@biztradegovuk) October 14, 2025
Released publicly last Friday, 17 October, 80 companies that failed to properly pay approximately 19,000 workers in and around the North West have now been repaid by their employers.
Perhaps most concerningly is that the fines sweep across multiple sectors and sizes, from local independents and SME to well-known high street brands.
From April 2026 onwards, the updated Employment Rights Bill (which also includes the FWA) grants more powers to tackle employers underpaying workers and failing to fulfil both holiday and sick pay.
This announcement also comes after the National Minimum Wage rate was increased earlier this year, with millions getting a pay rise and those working full-time on the National Living Wage seeing their families supported by an extra £1,400 per year.
Under the ‘Make Work Pay’ initiative set out by the Labour Party, more than 15 million Brits are expected to benefit from the new measures.
Overall, roughly £6 million has been put back into the pockets of underpaid workers up and down the country following these fines, which are said to have totalled roughly £10.2m. The full list of companies in question can be seen HERE.
Speaking on the news, Employment Rights Minister Kate Dearden said: “This government is taking direct action to ensure workers get every penny they’ve earned, and to put an end to bad businesses undercutting good ones.
“We’re proud to have delivered a strong minimum wage, and enforcing it thoroughly is crucial in our mission to put pounds back in your pocket. I know this news will be welcomed by brilliant businesses across the country, those who know that happy, well-paid staff are at the heart of building a successful company.
“With our new Fair Work Agency and the coming Employment Rights Bill, this government is keeping our promise to Britain to make work pay again.”
If you fear you might be suffering from underpayment by your employer, you can check that your wages are correct online; alternatively, you can call the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100 or contact their website for more information right HERE.
342 arrests made in Piccadilly Gardens since start of GMP’s pledge to ‘improve’ public safety
Emily Sergeant
More than 300 people have been arrested in Piccadilly Gardens since the police pledged to ‘improve’ the perception of the area.
A dedicated neighbourhood policing team that was set up by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) back in March to tackle issues and concerns in Piccadilly Gardens, and ultimately improve the public’s sense of safety, has seen a total of 342 arrests since its inception.
The City Centre Piccadilly Gardens neighbourhood policing team – which is led by Chief Inspector Michael Tachauer – works together with partners, including Manchester City Council, to tackle these problems with long-term solutions.
Following the team’s success since it started, GMP will now continue to build on the foundations of its problem-solving approach to address some of the most prevalent issues.
According to police, Piccadilly Gardens has seen ‘real progress’ being made in terms of safeguarding, enforcement, and GMP’s wider understanding of the issues and concerns communities are facing this past year.
342 arrests have been made in Piccadilly Gardens since the start of GMP’s pledge to ‘improve’ public safety / Credit: GMP
Since March, GMP has seen a total of 342 arrests resulting in 279 charges / cautions, 511 stop searches, 37 weapons seized, and large amounts of Class A and Class B drugs seized too.
“We remain committed to improving both the perception of Piccadilly Gardens and the public’s sense of safety in the area,” commented Chief Superintendent David Meeney, who is the City of Manchester District Commander.
“However, this is not something we can achieve alone. We will continue to work closely with our partners and deploy additional police resources whenever intelligence or demand indicates a need for increased presence.
“We also rely heavily on information from our community, from those who work in the area to residents living nearby. Your reports are vital in helping us develop targeted plans that our neighbourhood officers can act on, so please continue to share any concerns or incidents with us.”
Got any concerns about Piccadilly Gardens? You can continue to report those to GMP by calling 101 or online via gmp.uk.com. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
The Manc -
29th April 2022 
