The family of the passer-by who was killed in a city centre disturbance last weekend have paid tribute to a ‘soft natured and gentle’ man.
60-year-old Kevin Wood was tragically killed on Saturday evening in an incident close to the Printworks in the city centre.
His ‘devastated’ family say he was a ‘special’ character who was out celebrating his wife’s birthday when he was assaulted on Dantzic Street.
Greater Manchester Police have said that Kevin wasn’t involved in the initial disturbance and was a passer-by.
Dantzic Street, near where the incident took place. Credit: Google Maps
Describing Kevin, his family said: “We are struggling to put into words just how special Kevin – known as ‘Woody’ to his friends – was and how much he meant to all who knew him.
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“He was extremely hard-working, proud and loyal to his family. He was a soft natured and gentle man who always thought of others.
“Kevin was a loving husband, best friend and soul mate to his wife. Dad to his only daughter, stepdad, grandad, brother and uncle who was just out celebrating his wife’s birthday. He will be a deeply missed.
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“We, as a family, are devastated at his loss.
“We would respectfully ask for privacy at this time to allow us to grieve and come to terms with this devastating incident.”
Kevin’s family are receiving support from specialist officers.
GMP are appealing for anyone with information or footage to come forward – information can now be uploaded to a Major Incident Public Portal at: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/06GMP21S39-PO1
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Details can also be reported to police on 0161 856 6377, 101 or via LiveChat at www.gmp.police.uk quoting log 2792 of 20/11/2021.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured image: GMP / Google Maps
News
Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre
Daisy Jackson
Police are trying to track down the family of a man who died after being found unresponsive outside the Palace Theatre in Manchester.
The man, who has now been named as Jonathan Bernard Carroll, was seen outside the city centre theatre at around 6.30am on Tuesday 12 November.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and Mr Carroll was taken to hospital.
Tragically, the 47-year-old passed away a short time later.
A large cordon was in place on Whitworth Street and Oxford Road while police and security attended the incident.
Greater Manchester Police are now appealing to find his next of kin.
It’s believed that he resided in the Salford area of Greater Manchester.
Anyone with any information should contact the Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 1376.
Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.
As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.
Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.
The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.
Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.
Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.
The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.
Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.
Daisy Jackson -
23rd November 2021 
