Boy failed to jump lock and died

A BOY attempted to jump a lock on the Ashton Canal, but failed and died.

In the dark

Declan McNally was with three girls and another boy when he attempted to jump the narrow Fairfield Lock in the dark at 6pm on Wednesday, but failed, hitting the lock wall and falling into the water, Alan Tilbury reports.

The emergency services were called and upon arrival the 16 years old boy was rescued from the water and was taken to hospital by the North West Ambulance Service, where he was pronouced dead.

Shocking to see

A friend who urged him not to attempt the jump, told:

"It was shocking to see, we tried our best but the water is dangerous.  We all said 'don't do it, don't do it'.  It is very sad."

Fire crews and a water incident team spent an hour at the lock.