The warning comes after police confirmed that the body of a teenage boy had been recovered from Salford Quays on Saturday 16 July, after emergency services were called to reports of a person getting into difficulty in the water at around 6:15pm.
GMP explained that emergency service colleagues from GMFRS and the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) attended the scene, and the body was sadly located in the water later that evening, was recovered by specialist partners overnight.
Although formal identification has not yet taken place, GMP has stated that the body is believed to be that of a 16-year-old boy.
The boy was last seen struggling in the water after swimming with friends.
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GMP has confirmed that the boy’s family are continuing to be kept updated, and are being supported by specially-trained officers at what it has called an “extremely distressing time”.
Enquiries are currently ongoing, but GMP said detectives are “confident” at this moment in time that there aren’t any suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident, and a file is currently being prepared for the coroner.
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Our thoughts at this awful time are with the boy's family who are being supported by our officers in #Salford.
Please remember to avoid temptation to cool off in open water.
We all want to enjoy the warm weather; do so safely. Think of your family; look out for your friends. https://t.co/Dt4YrybCIk
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) July 17, 2022
“Yesterday evening’s events are nothing short of devastating and my thoughts are with the friends and family of the young boy who lost his life in such awful circumstances,” said Detective Inspector Joanne Johnston, from GMP’s Swinton CID.
“We are doing all we can to support the boy’s family at this incredibly difficult time, and we are focused on ensuring they get the answers they deserve as to how this tragedy occurred.”
GMP is now joining its fellow emergency services and authorities in urging the public to “avoid being tempted to cool off in reservoirs, rivers, canals or ponds”.
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“This is such a sad reminder of the dangers of entering open water, whatever the weather,” Ms Johnston added.
“We all want to enjoy the warm weather – but please make sure you do so in a safe way.”
Firefighters from Salford’s GMFRS division were also at Salford Quays on Saturday to speak to members of the public about staying safe in warmer weather, and took to Twitter to remind people: “Never be tempted to cool off by swimming in open water, or encourage your mates to jump into reservoirs, rivers, canals, ponds, or any other open water.”
Our thoughts are with family & friends of the teen who drowned in Salford Quays this weekend. Open water has dangers even for good swimmers. Don't enter reservoirs, rivers, canals or ponds unless it's part of an organised activity. Please enjoy the weather safely. pic.twitter.com/Fn4ZTjzpqK
— Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (@manchesterfire) July 17, 2022
Reflecting on the situation as a whole, and raising awareness of the dangers of open water swimming, Area Manager and Head of Prevention at GMFRS, Billy Fenwick, said: “Unfortunately we see tragic incidents of accidental drownings when the weather is warmer, as people attempt to cool off in open water.
“We are urging people to never be tempted to jump into any open water or swim in open water where it is not an organised event.
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“It may be warm outside, but the water is not.
“Cold Water Shock can kill even strong swimmers and there is also the risk of dangers lurking beneath the surface which may cause drowning.”
The fire service also said that banners have been put up in locations of accidental drownings across Greater Manchester to both pay tribute to those who’ve died, and remind people to not enter the water.
GMFRS officers have also been visiting schools to talk to young people about staying safe around water.
Murder investigation launched after injured woman found dead at house in Bolton
Emily Sergeant
A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a woman in Bolton.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers responded to reports of an assault on Yewdale Avenue in Bolton at around 3:15am yesterday morning (4 August 2026), and when they arrived on the scene, they found a woman who had ‘sustained injuries’ and was unresponsive
Despite the best efforts of emergency services, the woman – who is said to be in her 30s – was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody for questioning, police confirmed.
Police say they believe this is an ‘isolated incident’ with no wider public threat.
With a murder investigation now proceeding at pace, GMP is appealing to the public for information. They said in a statement: “We understand how troubling this news will be, and whilst formal identification has yet to take place, the believed family are being supported by specialist officers.”
“A scene will remain in place as officers continue the investigation and we will have an increased police presence in the area.
“I’d like to reassure you that this was an isolated incident that is not believed to pose a wider risk to the public, and we currently have a man in custody in relation to the incident.
“I urge anyone who may have information to support our enquiries to please come forward”.
Can you help? Anyone with information that may assist police enquiries is asked to contact GMP on 0161 856 2270, quoting log 321 of 04/08/26.
Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Google Maps
News
Work on Greater Manchester’s very own ‘Tebay-style’ motorway service station is finally underway
Danny Jones
You heard us right: the time has come for Greater Manchester to level up its service station game, as work on the long-talked-about Tebay-style venue over in Trafford has finally begun.
Those motorway trips are about to get even better.
We first heard about the vision to provide a brand-new Tatton Services back in March 2022, with the Westmorland Family – known not only for Tebay but the similarly popular Gloucester and Cairns Lodge equivalents – promising to deliver a new top-quality stop-off point in the region.
It’s one that people across the North West have been keeping a keen eye on ever since, and now the dial is finally moving on the major project. You can see more detailed images here:
With the Westmorlands and the official Tatton Estate agreeing a partnership that weighs heavily in the former’s favour, the new services will be located around the M56 near the Bowdon Roundabout in Altrincham.
Bordering the electoral ward of Trafford and Cheshire, it is set to be located between junctions seven and eight of the M6 motorway near neighbouring Millington and Rostherne.
It’s estimated to cost more than £65 million and will be one of the most expensive developments of its kind the country has ever seen, with only the pending Chalfont St Peter station by Extra Motorway Services Group set to be more expensive (approximately £90m).
As per Forecourt Trader, the blueprints include a dedicated 100-room hotel, one of their trademark farm shops that those travelling rave about so much, a petrol station, as well as 40 charging bays for electric vehicles. Service station facilities have come a long way since 1972, when Tebay first opened.
However, while plans are at long last getting underway, it will be arriving much later than expected, with the initial opening date slated for some time later this year; instead, it is now they are now aiming for spring 2028, meaning you’ll just have to make do with the OG for now.
We promise this was purely a coincidence on our way back from Kendal Calling 2026, by the way…
Speaking on behalf of family, the Tatton Services Proposal team, and members of the estate, Westmorland chair Sarah Dunning said in a recent statement on the update: “We’re very excited to bring our proper food offer and ethos to Cheshire.
“From day one, this is about creating something rooted in the local landscape and community. We have committed to working with at least 70 producers within 30 miles of the site – and we hope that number will grow as relationships flourish.
“We’re also creating over 400 skilled jobs for local people, alongside apprenticeships and training programmes designed to build meaningful, long-term careers in the food industry. Our ambition is not only to serve travellers but to create opportunities and lasting value for the communities around us.”
What do you make of the proposed plans for the ‘next Tebay‘?
Emily Sergeant -
18th July 2022 
