Wigan canal tragedy after carer dies while trying to rescue the man he was looking after
The men died after being pulled from the water in Abram on Tuesday
A carer has died after trying to rescue a man he was looking after from a freezing canal in Wigan.
49 year old Aaron Ritchie and his 60 year old carer sadly lost their lives in Abram yesterday afternoon.
Emergency services were called at approximately 2.15pm yesterday (Tuesday 28 November 2023) to reports two men had entered the water at Crank Wood canal and had got into difficulty.
The men were retrieved from the water by specialist personnel in a multi-agency emergency response. Life-saving intervention was conducted by medical staff however sadly both males tragically passed away later in hospital.
Their deaths are not being treated as suspicious and police are continuing to establish the circumstances behind their deaths. A scene remains in place at the canal.
Aaron’s family have paid tribute to him:
“It's come as a complete shock to us as a family surrounding the tragic accident of what happened on Tuesday afternoon. Aaron was a loveable character who made a big impression on everyone who knew him.
“Aaron had special needs and he loved the outdoor life and as long as he had his puzzles, laces and spinning tops he was happy. Aaron is surely going to be missed by us as a family.”
“We would like to pass on our sincere condolences to his carers family and a special thank you to the emergency services who attended trying to save them.”