A teenage boy has died after getting into difficulties while in the water off Raikes Lane in Bolton.

Emergency services were called at around 8pm last night.

Police say the call was in response to a concern to welfare with a report of a person in the water.

The Oldham Times:

A 17-year-old boy was pronounced dead, despite, say police, the best attempts of emergency services.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said officers attended along with colleagues from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

He added: "It was established four teenage boys were involved."

Enquiries are ongoing but detectives from Bolton are confident there are not any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

Detective Inspector Stuart Woodhead said: “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."

The river that runs near Raikes Lane is the River Croal.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At around 8pm on Tuesday 9 April, fire crews were called to a 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.”