Man dies after chasing dog into reservoir

10:49pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

A MAN drowned in a reservoir after chasing his dog into the water.

A massive search operation was launched when a member of the man's group dialled 999 at around 7.30pm.

He is understood to have drowned at Anglezarke Reservoir, north of Rivington, after swimming into the water.

Volunteers from the Bolton Mountain Rescue Team, who were on a training exercise nearby, rushed to the scene to help police and fire crews. Concerned relatives of group members started to arrive at the scene as fear for the man's safety mounted.

The police helicopter was scrambled to help look for the man, who was pulled out of the water by special fire water rescue units at around 9.45pm.

The man is thought to be in his 30s and has not been named.

During the rescue operation, nearby Knowsley Road was closed to traffic.