A body has been recovered from a banking near the Roch River in Bury. 

The body of a 45-year-old woman was recovered by emergency services this morning. 

Bury Times: Rescue teams at the scene this morning

Police and fire crews were called to reports of a concern for welfare at Newby Close in Bury yesterday evening, Saturday, November 18.

Bury Times: Emergency services at the scene

Fire engines from Bolton North and Farnworth, the technical rescue units from Ashton and Leigh and the specialist water incident unit from Heywood were in attendance for two and a half hours.

Bury Times: Teams at the scene this morning

They were later stood down for the night. 

Emergency services, including crime scene investigators, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue crews, and a water incident unit, were called to assist police again this morning.

A woman's body has since been recovered and her next of kin have been informed. 

Bury Times: Cordon at the scene this morning

A scene remains in place whilst enquiries are made into the exact circumstances of her death.

Following the news, Cllr Tamoor Tariq, for the Redvales ward, said: "I know there are many people in the local community who overnight and this morning and afternoon have become increasingly concerned about the person who emergency services have tried to locate since yesterday afternoon in and around the River Roach area.

"It is with regret, a body matching her description has been recovered by Police.

"I know everyone's thoughts will be with her, her family and friends at this sad time.

"It is not for us the local community to speculate on the circumstances that may have led to this.

Bury Times:

"This is quite clearly a very tragic incident and terribly sad news that none of us wanted to hear.

"A member of the public was an eyewitness to events of late yesterday afternoon, they need to be thanked and acknowledged for the swift manner in which this was reported and dealt with.

"I would like to put on record thanks to the emergency services, who responded in the most efficient and diligent manner that I have ever seen in my 13 years as a councillor.

Bury Times:

"Greater Manchester Police, Northwest Ambulance & Greatest Manchester Fire & Rescue allocated unprecedented amount of resources to help save and rescue this person, and this didn't prove possible despite their efforts.

"There has also been input from the police's boat rescue team, GMP tactical dog unit, and the police's underwater diving team too and there efforts should be commended too.

Bury Times:

"Our thoughts and prayers I know will be with the deceased, and her family and friends at this time."

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "Police were called to reports of a concern for welfare at Newby Close in Bury on Saturday 18 November 2023.

Bury Times: Teams at the scene this morning

"Sadly, officers found a body of a 46-year-old woman on banking near the Roch River. Her next of kin have been informed.

"A scene remains in place whilst enquiries are made into the exact circumstances of her death."