Canal tragedy takes two lives

THIS freezing weather and the resulting dangerous towpaths have taken two lives.

A special needs man slipped into the Leigh Branch of the Bridgewater Canal with his carer diving in to attempt a rescue, but both lost their lives in the bitterly cold water, Keith Gudgin reports.

The police believe Aaron Ritchie tumbled in the deep Leigh Branch while walking on the towpath on Tuesday.

Was in difficulty

His carer, then plunged in to try and help him but was in difficulty in the ice cold water and was unable to achieve a rescue.

Specialist teams recovered the two from the water with medics attempting resuscitation but to no avail.

They were later pronounced dead in hospital.