Appeal for key witnesses after man pulled from canal in Stalybridge dies

Shortly before 6pm on Friday 21 June 2019, police were called to reports that a man had been pulled out of the Huddersfield Canal by passers-by near to Tesco on Acres Lane, Stalybridge. 76-year-old Allan Sutcliffe was taken to hospital where he sadly passed away on Friday 28 June.

Police are appealing directly to individuals who were walking along the canal towpath near to Trinity Street and Mottram Road between 4pm and 6pm last Friday.

Following enquiries, officers have identified a number of potential key witnesses who they are keen to speak to. They have been described as the following:

A white man, around 5ft 9ins tall of medium build with grey hair to the sides of his head and bald on top. He was wearing a stripy blue top and blue jeans.

A white man who was travelling on a barge towards Mossley at around 5.30pm. He is around 5ft 9ins tall, approximately aged in his 50s and was wearing blue pants and a blue top.

A couple who were walking from the direction of Mottram Road towards Stalybridge.

Detective Inspector Zoe Stapleton, of GMP’s Tameside district, said: “This was a tragic incident and we are doing all we can to support Allan’s family at this devastating time. We are continuing to investigate the circumstances of how Allan came to be in the canal so that we can provide his family with the answers they deserve.

“Following enquiries, we have identified a number of people we are keen to speak to as part of our investigation. I want to stress that they aren’t in any trouble but they may hold vital information.

“We have released descriptions of these people and I would appeal directly to them to please get in touch with us as soon as possible. Even if you don’t think you have any information that can assist us, please let us make that assessment as even the smallest detail could be crucial.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 9216 or 101 quoting incident number 1752 of 21/06/2019, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.