Another drowning in Wigan Flight

Published: Monday, 08 March 2021

THE third body in just over six months has been discovered in Wigan Flight.

It was last week the latest body to be discovered in the Leeds & Liverpool Canal flight was found, making three deaths in the flight in just over six months, I Duggald Campbell reports.

Open stretches of water can kill

After the first two deaths, Senior Coroner Timothy Brennand told Bolton Coroner's Court:

"Open stretches of water can kill. I will write with immediate effect to the two agencies [Canal & River Trust and Wigan Council].  I have indicated and within the context of my letter I will express my own concerns with the issue of water safety."

Mikey Greenall and Matt Dutton both drowned in the flight at Locks 77 and 79 within the space of a month last year, and now, another drowning this time at Lock 83 on the flight.

Once again, the police maintain that there are no suspicious circumstances and a report is being prepared for the coroner.

Call for fencing and lighting

As is now normal in such circumstances, there has been the call for fencing—this time it seems for 'all the canals of Wigan'. Followed by a petition to have lighting along its canals.