Tributes have been paid to a “dedicated” and “incredibly loved” North West paramedic following his sudden death.
Ben Lightburn sadly passed away on New Year’s Day following a road traffic collision.
The beloved husband and father-of-two previously served in the Royal Navy before he joined the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) back in 2014 as an emergency medical technician, and later qualifying as a paramedic in 2021 and going on to work across the Cheshire and Merseyside North sector.
Ben helped many communities in their time of need, and showed “immense care and compassion” to all his patients, the NWAS said.
So many of Ben’s friends and colleagues are now sharing their memories of working with him.
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“Ben was, and will forever remain, an incredibly loved member of our team,” said senior paramedics and technicians who worked closely with him.
“He was amazing with patients and so ridiculously smart. He mentored students and supported his colleagues with a passion that was admirable. He was a joker, he was cheeky, he laughed with us and at us, and was always at the heart of our team.
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“Ben has dedicated his life to the services, from serving in the Royal Navy – of which he always shared fond memories with us – and then joining us here at NWAS. He always aimed to excel at everything he did, both in work and in his personal life, and he was so well respected by his colleagues and adored by patients.
“His close-knit team, NWAS and beyond have lost a truly genuine, kind and ever caring soul.
“There are no words to describe how we feel to have lost Ben, so tragically and so suddenly, and we will cherish his memory forever, and our thoughts extend to his beautiful family at this unimaginable time.”
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Tributes have been paid to ‘incredibly loved’ North West paramedic who died suddenly / Credit: NWAS
Ben’s manager at the NWAS Cheshire and Merseyside North Sector said Ben was a dedicated paramedic who will have “undoubtedly changed patient and families lives for the better” and that his absence has already “an irreparable hole across the NWAS team he worked with”.
“Ben consistently placed others before himself, he was not just a paramedic, but a friend and a mentor to many of his colleagues.
“The sadness felt is shared by many and we extend our deepest condolences to Ben’s friends and family who have lost someone very special.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic loss.”
Featured Image – NWAS
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Firefighters continue to tackle moorland fire at Dovestones Reservoir amid ‘strong’ winds
Emily Sergeant
Firefighters are continuing to tackle a large moorland fire near Dovestones Reservoir.
After the blaze broke out on Saturday evening at the popular beauty spot in Oldham, prompting a major multi-agency response that has now entered its second day, fire crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) have been working around the clock in challenging conditions to contain the fire and prevent further spread across the moorland.
Specialist wildfire resources, command support units, drone technology, and partner agencies have also been deployed as operations continue across multiple sectors of the incident.
To make matters worse, ‘strong’ winds yesterday carried smoke across parts of Greater Manchester – with reports of haze and the smell of burning being received from areas well beyond the immediate vicinity of the fire.
Firefighters are currently tackling a moorland fire near Dovestones Reservoir.
Crews from across Greater Manchester, supported by specialist wildfire resources, are working to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading further.
— Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (@manchesterfire) July 11, 2026
Residents affected by smoke are advised to keep windows and doors closed where possible.
GMFRS say firefighters ‘remain focused’ on limiting the spread of the blaze while protecting the surrounding landscape and supporting ongoing operations in ‘difficult’ terrain.
“Members of the public are asked to avoid the area where possible to allow emergency services and partner agencies to carry out their work safely,” GMFRS said in a statement as firefighters remained at the scene overnight.
As operations continue, the fire service has issued another safety warning, urging people not to use disposable barbecues, light campfires or set off fireworks on or near moorland.
“In the current dry conditions, even a small spark can quickly develop into a significant fire,” their plea concluded.
Featured Image – GMFRS
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Urgent open water safety appeal issued after teen tragically dies in Dovestone Reservoir
Emily Sergeant
A new open water safety appeal has been issued after the body of a teenager was recovered from Dovestone Reservoir.
At around 7pm last Friday evening (10 July 2026), emergency services responded to an incident at popular beauty spot Dovestone Reservoir in Oldham, and upon arrival, they located a man, confirmed to be 18 years of age, unresponsive in the water.
The body was recovered from the water, but despite the best efforts of medical professionals, the man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Speaking on the tragic situation, Detective Inspector Steven Horton, from GMP’s Oldham district, said: “We have tragically recovered the body of an 18-year-old man from the water and are conducting extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances.
“Our thoughts remain with his family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.”
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is also urging parents and guardians to remind their children about the dangers of swimming and jumping into open water during the hot weather and summer months.
Looks like it will stay warm a bit longer, so why not have a chat with your kids, or other young people you know, about the dangers of open water? It could save their life ❤️
Important messages to discuss with your child: • Jumping into open water can be fatal. It can be much… pic.twitter.com/vo5tHSHkyi
— Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (@manchesterfire) July 10, 2026
One of the most common dangers is cold water shock, as even on warm days, cold water can quickly overwhelm the body, and hidden hazards below the water’s surface can also place people in danger within seconds.
Anyone who finds themselves getting into difficulty in the water is urged to put their head back with their ears submerged, relax and try to breathe normally, and move their hands to help them stay afloat, remembering that it’s okay if your legs sink as ‘we all float differently’, GMFRS says.
“You can spread your arms and legs to improve stability,” the fire service added in its appeal.
Emily Sergeant -
16th January 2023 
