The search for Simon Daniels, a missing man who fell into Dovestone Reservoir, has been temporarily called off as emergency services face “very difficult conditions.” The extensive search operation is set to resume for a third day on Tuesday, October 22.
Rescue efforts were launched on Sunday afternoon after reports emerged of a man and woman falling into the reservoir while paddleboarding. Emergency services, including mountain rescue teams, police underwater search units, and fire crews, were dispatched to the beauty spot in Oldham, Greater Manchester, just before 2:30 p.m.
The woman, believed to be in her late 20s, was successfully rescued and treated for hypothermia shortly after the incident. However, the search for Simon Daniels, a personal trainer from Cheshire, remains ongoing as divers and rescue teams continue to scour the area.
Efforts persisted throughout Sunday night, with specialist divers searching the reservoir from boats, while coastguard and mountain rescue personnel worked along the banks and surrounding terrain. Despite their best efforts, the search was met with challenging conditions, including poor visibility and cold water temperatures, hampering progress.
By Monday morning, there had been no significant developments, as confirmed by a spokesperson from Greater Manchester Police. The search continued throughout the day with hopes of finding any signs of Simon, but as night fell, conditions once again became too hazardous to proceed.
In an update released Monday evening, police announced the decision to call off the search for the night, citing the ongoing difficulties.
“The scene remains in place at Dovestone Reservoir,” the spokesperson said. “Specially trained officers are continuing to support the family of the missing person. Emergency services personnel are working in very difficult conditions and are doing everything they can. The search will continue tomorrow in daylight hours.”
Simon Daniels, who has been described by friends and family as an avid sports enthusiast and a dedicated personal trainer, had been paddleboarding on the reservoir with the woman when the incident occurred. The circumstances surrounding how the pair ended up in the water remain unclear.
The scene at Dovestone Reservoir has seen a significant presence of emergency services since the incident, with rescue teams setting up operations on the water and along the reservoir’s edge. Local residents and visitors to the area have expressed concern for Simon and support for the search teams working tirelessly to locate him.
Search efforts are expected to intensify on Tuesday, with additional resources being brought in to cover more ground in the reservoir and the surrounding areas. Authorities have not yet provided a timeline for when the search is expected to conclude, emphasizing that the conditions will play a major role in determining the pace of operations.
As the search for Simon Daniels enters its third day, his family continues to be supported by specially trained officers. They remain hopeful for his recovery, while rescue teams prepare to face another challenging day ahead in their bid to bring him home.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
