Man Dies in Reservoir at Alexandra Park
A 49-year-old man has tragically died after getting into difficulty in Sykes Reservoir at Alexandra Park in Stockport, Greater Manchester Police have confirmed. Emergency services were called at around 8.30pm on Thursday, 9 July 2026, following reports of a man in trouble in the water.
Police, paramedics, and firefighters attended the scene, with a large cordon set up around a footpath and one of the park's entrances on Dale Street. Despite a rescue operation, the man's body was recovered later that night.
Investigation Underway
GMP stated: "The body of a man has been recovered from the water at Sykes Reservoir in Stockport. Officers were called at around 8.30pm on Thursday 9 July to reports a man had got into difficulty in the water. We attended alongside our emergency service colleagues from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and North West Ambulance Service. Sadly, the body of a man in his 40s was located a short time later."
Formal identification has yet to take place, but specialist officers are supporting the man's family. Superintendent Dave Henthorne from GMP's Stockport district said: "Despite the best efforts of all emergency services at the scene, the body of a 49-year-old man was recovered after an extensive search. Our thoughts are first and foremost with his family and loved ones at this tragic time."
Risks of Open Water
This incident is the latest in a series of water-related deaths in Greater Manchester during the recent hot weather. On 27 June, a 15-year-old boy died after entering the River Irwell at Clifton Country Park in Salford. On the same weekend, another 15-year-old boy died at Cowbury Reservoir in Stalybridge, Tameside, and a woman also died in water in Bury.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service had issued a stark warning about the dangers of swimming in open water earlier on Thursday. With more hot weather forecast and school holidays approaching, the fire service is urging the public to stay safe.
Superintendent Henthorne added: "We are currently looking into the full circumstances of the incident however we’d like to remind people of the serious risks associated with open water. It has been extremely warm recently which is set to continue into the weekend; however, we would urge everyone to stay safe and avoid entering reservoirs, rivers, canals or ponds. Please take care of yourselves and each other and enjoy the warm weather safely."
