Warnings have been issued about horseflies this summer, as walkers report being ‘chased out’ of nature spots.
The insects can issue a nasty, painful bite that risks becoming infected, sometimes leading to cellulitis.
So-called ‘Dracula’ horseflies are even capable of biting people through their clothes with their strong mandibles, or fangs.
Horseflies are sanguivorous, meaning they feed on blood, so they will chase and bite humans at speeds up to 15mph.
Several walkers have reported being chased by swarms of the pests at beauty spots in Greater Manchester, including Quarry Bank Mill in Stockport.
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One dog-walker told The Manc it was the ‘worst walk I’ve ever been on’.
They said: “It was awful. We went for an ebening walk to take the dogs, and the weather was nice and cool. We were wondering why we had the entire place to ourselves.
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“And out of nowhere, a huge swarm of horseflies appeared and chased us around the entirety of Quarry Bank.
Horseflies have been swarming in the woods around Quarry Bank Mill. Credit: SuppliedHorseflies have been swarming in the woods around Quarry Bank Mill. Credit: Supplied
“Every now and then they’d disappear and we thought we were safe, and then they’re return and be biting us through our clothes.
“We ended up giving up on our walk and being chased out of the park by evil horseflies. It was awful. I was sad and very distressed.”
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Another person wrote on TripAdvisor: “Be extra vigilant of the Horse Flies that are around the large cow pen, my wife and myself got bitten a total of eight times!”
The BCPA warned of horseflies: “Literally designed to eat a horse, their bite is both impressive and painful. The horsefly is a sanguivorous insect and therefore wants to bite you.
“They can persistently chase you at a flying speed of around 15mph, and it’ll bite right through clothes. It has mandibles that can rip and tear flesh apart.”
What to do if you get bitten by a horsefly
The NHS warns that ‘horsefly bites are large, painful and may bleed. They often become infected’.
If you are bitten, you should dab your horsefly bites with antiseptic and cover the wound with an ice pack in order to avoid infection or swelling.
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You can see the full advice – including when to ring 999 – on the NHS website here.
Family pay tribute to father-of-two killed in Rochdale plane crash
Daisy Jackson
The family of a man killed in a light aircraft crash in Rochdale have paid tribute to a ‘deeply loving father and devoted husband’.
36-year-old Arian Abbasi was one of two men killed when an aircraft crashed into farmland in Littleborough in Rochdale last week, after travelling from Birmingham.
Emergency services rushed to the scene shortly after 11am on Tuesday 3 February, but sadly pronounced both men dead at the scene.
It’s believed there was no one else on board the aircraft, and there were no reported injuries on the ground.
Now, Arian’s family have issued a moving tribute to him. He was a pilot from Harrow in Greater London.
They described him as being a ‘deeply loving’ family man, whose passion was flying.
He was about to embark on a new chapter with a commercial airline in just a few weeks’ time.
His family said: “He lived his life for his family and friends, giving them his constant love, strength, and support.
“Flying was his passion, and he was on the brink of beginning an exciting new chapter with a commercial airline on 23 February; a dream he had worked toward with immense pride and determination.”
GMP investigations are now focused on finding part of the parachute system which contains propellant and hasn’t yet been located.
Finding the device has been ‘very difficult’ due to the nature of the terrain and the wide area over which it may have travelled.
It measures approximately 10 cm in diameter and 30 cm long and has a red anodised finish. It weighs less than 2 kg. It may have a silver metal collar attached at one end.
GMP said: “Please do not handle the device if you see it. If discovered, contact the police immediately via 101 or our Live Chat at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1056 of 03/02/26.”
Homeless children in Greater Manchester will now get free bus travel to and from school
Emily Sergeant
Children who are currently living in temporary housing in Greater Manchester are set to get extra support with school travel.
In a move that was announced by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) at the end of last week, and following years of campaigning, homeless children living in temporary accommodation are now set to get free school travel on all Bee Network buses.
TfGM says it understands that some children end up a long way from their school when placed into temporary accommodation, and this leaves parents or carers with the difficult choice of either having to move them to a closer school, which ultimately disrupts their education, or having to pay unexpected travel costs.
While the Greater Manchester Strategy – which is the plan for the city region’s next decade – commits to reducing the number of families and children in temporary accommodation, and measures are also being taken to make sure residents have the support they need to ‘access, improve, and retain’ a decent, affordable home, this doesn’t tackle the immediate issue.
Homeless children in Greater Manchester will now get free school bus travel / Credit: TfGM
So, to help those families when they ‘need it most’, free bus travel to and from school is set to be provided, as subject to approval of this year’s Combined Authority budget.
The move comes after Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham asked TfGM last year to look at options to help with the cost of travel.
“Using our locally-controlled Bee Network buses to support families when they need it most is the right thing to do,” Andy Burnham commented.
Of course, the long-term solution is no kids in TA and we’re working with our councils to achieve this in the next few years.
We can do it because GM will soon hit the point where we are building more council and social homes every year than we’re losing through right-to-buy. 👍🏻
“A move into temporary accommodation is often a massive upheaval for families and can be a worrying time. With this measure, the cost of travel to school will be one less thing for families to worry about.
“It will mean parents and carers don’t have to choose between an extra demand on their household budget and keeping their children with friends and teachers they know and trust.”
Daisy Jackson -
30th June 2023 
