Searches continue for missing paddle boarder at Dovestone Reservoir

Emergency services are continuing to scour Dovestone Reservoir, near Oldham, for a missing man known to have entered the water whilst paddle boarding yesterday afternoon.

A woman also got into difficulty at around 3.30pm on Sunday (20th October) and was pulled to safety by throw lines and treated by paramedics.

The Coastguard and mountain rescue service have been involved in the search, continuing through Sunday night and into Monday to try and locate the man, believed to be in his 20s.

Members of the public are being urged to stay away from the police cordon.

Water safety campaigner Beckie Ramsay from Chorley lost her 13-year-old son Dylan in open water in 2011. She fought to get throwlines installed at Dovestone Reservoir, but insists it's not right to celebrate their success in saving one casualty, when another is still missing:

"I should be here now feeling elated that somebody's actually survived using something that I powered forward. To hear that they've been used to save a life is mind blowing, it's overwhelming to be quite honest. That's what I should be screaming and shouting about today. But I can't. How can anybody possibly do that when somebody still hasn't been found?

"The thing that matters now is getting this young man out and bringing him home to his family so that they can do what they need to do going forward. My heart's with them right now. And if I could do anything, I'd give his mum and dad a hug.

"If the family do want to reach out to me, I will speak to them. I'll offer them what support they need. I'm not saying that I can fix anything. I can't; I'm saying that I understand."