Boy, 17, dies after falling into river while riding canoe with friends
'Poor lad,' one witness said.
A boy, 17, has died after falling into a river while riding an inflatable canoe in Greater Manchester.
The teenager got into difficulty along the 10-mile-long River Croal off Raikes Labe, Bolton, yesterday evening.
Three other teenage boys were ‘involved’ in the incident, Manchester Evening News (MEN) reported.
Emergency services were called at around 8pm – despite the best efforts from paramedics, the boy was pronounced dead at the scene.
A witness told The Bolton News that they saw two teenagers ‘frantically running around’ asking if people had seen their ‘anyone in a west suit’.
‘It is a shock, poor lad, it is quiet around here,’ he said.
His death is not being treated as suspicious.
The fire service said: ‘At around 8pm on Tuesday 9 April, fire crews were called to reports of a person in the water near Raikes Lane in Bolton.
‘Two fire engines from Bolton Central fire station, as well as the water incident unit from Heywood and the technical response unit from Leigh, quickly attended the scene.
‘Firefighters recovered a 17-year-old male from the water but he sadly passed away at the scene.
‘This was a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the young man’s family and friends.’
Detective Inspector Stuart Woodhead added: ‘This is an extremely upsetting and distressing incident for those involved due to the tragic circumstances and we are continuing to support their loved ones at this time.’
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