Search for man after canal fall

The fire service and a police helicopter were deployed to help search for the man who had fallen in near the The Crown Pub on Wigan Road at around 11pm last night, Friday, following an altercation with a man whose boat he had been damaging.

The police confirmed that they were called after two men approached a narrow boat on the canal and begin kicking at doors.

They disturbed the occupant of the boat who came out to confront them. An altercation broke out resulting in one of the offenders falling in the canal and the other being detained by the victim.

The police helicopter used thermal imaging to search the canal, along with the fire service's boat crew, for the offender but police believe he got out of the canal, although he is yet to be detained.

One male has been arrested for criminal damage and another for assault.