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
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‘Groundbreaking’ new police team launches on Bee Network to make it one of the safest in the world
Emily Sergeant
A ‘groundbreaking’ new policing model aimed at making the Bee Network one of the safest public transport networks in the world has launched.
Described as being ‘pioneering’, the first-of-its-kind approach – named the Transport Policing and Crime Command (TPACC) – will bring Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) even closer together to tackle crime, antisocial behaviour, and safety issues across the region’s transport network.
So, how will it work then? Well, according to TfGM, the command will ‘effectively establish’ the Bee Network as GMP’s eleventh policing district.
It will bring together up to 300 personnel, including new police officers, who are all involved in keeping the network safe and providing greater reassurance to passengers travelling across the region.
Efforts to keep passengers safe on buses, trams, active travel routes, and roads across Greater Manchester will be ‘strengthened’ through the new team – improving co-ordination in response to incidents, and helping to reassure communities.
A ‘groundbreaking’ new police team has launched on the Bee Network to make it one of the safest in the world / Credit: TfGM
The new team will also incorporate the existing Roads Policing Unit within GMP that includes specialist functions such as the Central Ticket Office, the Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit, the motorbike unit, the Commercial Vehicle Unit, the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, and more.
Overall, the key focus of TPACC is to:
Increase public confidence on safety across the transport network
Reduce violence, antisocial behaviour and criminality across the transport network
Increase the number of users of the Bee Network across Greater Manchester
The launch of TPACC is said to represents ‘the next phase’ of Greater Manchester’s commitment to creating a ‘safer, more secure, and more welcoming’ transport network for everyone who lives, works, and travels across the region.
“I want a world-class Bee Network where everyone feels safe,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor, Bev Craig.
“Our new dedicated transport policing command will bring together more than 300 police and safety officers, with high-profile patrols across our roads and the Bee Network. It means a stronger presence in our communities and faster action when people need help.
“TPACC will also crack down on dangerous driving to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, which have devastating consequences for families and communities.”
Featured Image – TfGM
News
Two arrested after assaulting and burgling 90-year-old woman in Stockport suburb
Emily Sergeant
Two people have been arrested following reports of an assault and burglary at a 90-year-old woman’s home in a Stockport suburb.
While en-route to the incident in Heald Green – which was reported to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) at around 2:30am on 29 October – officers located the victim’s vehicle being driven by an unknown man.
The stolen vehicle made off from police before it lost control, went up a grass verge, and collided with a stationary vehicle.
Police confirmed that a white British man, aged 41, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of a burglary and serious assault, while a white British woman, aged 47, was also later arrested on suspicion of burglary and serious assault – with both remaining in custody for questioning.
The victim, a 90-year-old woman, was taken to hospital for treatment and is being supported by specialist officers, although luckily, her injuries are not life-threatening.
Enquiries are now ongoing, and officers are working to establish the full circumstances of the shocking incident.
“This was undoubtedly a traumatic experience for the victim, and we have specialist officers supporting her through this investigation,” explained Detective Inspector Craig Turner, from Stockport CID.
“This was a violent burglary and thanks to the brave victim reporting it, our officers made two swift arrests with the suspects taken into police custody to be interviewed.
“We believe this was a targeted attack and there is no wider risk to the community. Extra patrols of officers have been deployed to the area to offer reassurance to members of the community. Please let them know if you have any concerns.
“We are committed to tackling dangerous offenders and keeping our communities safe from harm.”
The Manc -
29th April 2022 
