A SALE man is believed to have drowned in the river Goyt after police were unable to rescue him from the fast-flowing water.

Officers from an underwater search team came across Neil Marsom, 38, struggling in the river at around 12.40pm on January 3, while carrying out a search in relation to a separate investigation.

The officers made efforts to pull Mr Marsom from the river, which is in the Stockport area, but he became submerged and was carried downstream in the fast moving water.

Police have been searching for Mr Marsom since that time and are now appealing for the public’s help to trace his last known movements.

He was dropped on London Road in Hazel Grove, Stockport, near to the junction with School Street, at 11am on 3 January 2013, two hours before he was seen in the river.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who saw or spoke to Mr Marsom, or who saw how he came to be in the water.

Det Insp Julia Bowden, said: “This is clearly a deeply traumatic time for Neil’s family and we have specially trained officers supporting them as best we can.


“I am keen to hear from anyone who can help us provide the answers the family desperately want answering.


“Did you see Neil at any point between 11am and 12.40pm on Thursday? Did you talk to him or see how he came to be in the water? If so, please get in touch.”


Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 9740.