Wigan canal deaths: Two men die after being pulled from Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Two men died in hospital after being rescued from a canal.

A huge emergency services presence descended on Crankwood Road, beside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, in Abram, near Wigan, shortly after 2pm on Tuesday (November 28) following reports for concerns for welfare.

The two men, aged 49 and 60, were pulled from the water and rushed to hospital after fire crews were called to assist police including a tactical response unit and a specialist boat unit.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that they both have died from their injuries. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the deaths.

A GMP spokesperson said: At 2.15pm yesterday (Tuesday November 28) Greater Manchester Police were called to reports of concerns for welfare at Crank Wood canal, Abram, near Wigan.

“Specialist officers in a multi-agency emergency response attended the location, and two men aged 49 and 60 were taken to hospital for treatment. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, both men sadly passed away yesterday afternoon.

Detectives believe that two men had entered the water and come into difficulty and at this time there are believed to be no suspicious circumstances, however, officers are currently working to establish the exact timeline of events leading up to this incident and inquiries remain ongoing.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At around 2.20pm on Tuesday November 28, two fire engines from Wigan and Atherton, the technical response unit from Leigh and the boat unit from Eccles were called to assist police with an incident on the Leeds Liverpool canal, off Plank Lane in Leigh.”