Urgent search at Clifton Country Park as boy vanishes after entering River Irwell

Urgent search at Clifton Country Park as boy vanishes after entering River Irwell Greater Manchester Police has dispatched specialist divers to the River Irwell at Clifton Country Park in Salford after reports of a boy getting into difficulty in the water Emergency crews are searching for a boy who was seen in difficulty in the water in Salford. Specialist police divers have been dispatched to the River Irwell at Clifton Country Park this morning. Greater Manchester Police said: “At around 4.49pm on Saturday 27 June 2026, we were called to reports of a boy getting into difficulty in the River Irwell at Clifton Country Park. Emergency services and specialist search teams remain at the scene. The incident is ongoing.” The emergency operation is underway this morning after the incident on Saturday evening. It's understood the area concerned is close to a stretch of sand near a bridge crossing over the River Irwell at the park. According to reports, a teenage boy went into the water together with other youngsters. A teenage girl is understood to have been pulled out of the River Irwell by friends. She's thought to be unhurt, but traumatised, Manchester Evening News reports. Reports also suggest another boy who went into the water managed to get himself out during the incident. Search teams were pictured on a bridge this morning as they made an assessment of the river conditions. The park remains open to members of the public, but some paths have been blocked off. [Image text:] GMI GMP GMP TAL TAU TAUE