Emergency services flooded a quiet street on Thursday evening (October 6) following reports of a 'serious' incident during which a person had been killed by a falling tree.
Fire crews and police, including forensics, attended the scene on Osborne Terrace, in Sale, shortly after 3.30pm on Thursday. The road backed onto the canal path, which was completely cordoned off for numerous hours, until around 8.30pm.
Door to door enquiries were made by officers after the incident, as investigators continued to assess the scene. A private ambulance also arrived just before 8pm and then left a short time later.
As well as securing the scene of the incident, adjoining Darley Street was also cordoned off with police tape for a number of hours, before specialists arrived to cut up the fallen tree. Fire crews remained stationed at the scene for a number of hours, as well as a heavy police presence.
Residents said they were 'worried' when they arrived home to see the huge emergency services presence on Thursday afternoon, with many unaware of what had happened. Others spoke of their upset upon learning there had been reports of a fatality.
One resident of Darley Street told the M.E.N: "I didn't know what had gone on, I just heard a really loud noise earlier this afternoon - and not long after there were loads of police here closing off the road."
Another said: "I haven't been back long from work. When I got back about two hours ago, I saw everywhere had been blocked off. The back of my house backs onto Osborne Terrace.
"I had no idea what has gone on, but it looks really serious and makes you worried when it is right outside your house."
As another Darley Street resident added: "I heard someone had passed away tonight. It is just so awful and sad to think this can happen so close to home, and my thoughts are with whoever's family is involved in all this."
On Thursday afternoon, Greater Manchester Police shared the news of what they called a 'serious ongoing incident', making people aware of the cordon and urging people to avoid the canal pathway.
In a tweet shortly after 6pm, GMP Sale said: "Due to a serious Ongoing incident please avoid using the canal towpath between Marsland road and sale town centre. Thank you for your cooperation."
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they were at the incident involving a fallen tree, but were unable to provide any further information. A spokesperson said: "At approximately 3.40pm on Thursday, 6 th October, firefighters were called to assist GMP at an incident involving a fallen tree on Osborne Terrace, in Sale.
“Fire engines from Stretford, Sale and Altrincham stations attended the scene. One fire engine remains at the scene at this time.”
Further details about how the tree came to fall on Thursday evening, or the nature of the incident are yet to be confirmed, however Greater Manchester Police have been approached by the Manchester Evening News.
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