A van driven into the Bridgewater Canal over two months ago is still floating about in the water. Pictures taken on Wednesday morning (April 24) show the white van still submerged after it first entered the waterway back in February.
Police and fire crews were initially called out at around 10am on February 5 to concerns for the welfare of a man in the van that had entered the canal. He was rescued and taken to hospital from the scene, according to AltrinchamToday.
But more than two months on, pictures shared on social media site X show the vehicle still submerged in the water with a rope tied around it, beside Canal Road in Timperley.
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Wayne Starkey, who posted a number of images online, said: "I took them [the pictures] this morning. It's unbelievable that no one has recovered it, it's not as if it's a tough job. The damage its doing to the canal and the wildlife."
Similar pictures were also shared by others on April 21, as @domcycling posted: "Out on a loop to Tatton Park today, starting along the Bridgewater Canal. That van looks a little damp."
The Bridgewater Canal Company, who own and operate the canal, said they are trying to contact the insurer of the van to resolve the issue. They said they are 'doing everything they can to resolve the matter', but 'as the vehicle is insured and not stolen', they are waiting on the insurance company of van to arrange removal of the vehicle, or for 'them to provide approval for the Bridgewater Canal Company to remove the vehicle on their behalf'.
"We share the frustrations of the local community and stakeholders and through our insurance brokers are doing everything we can to resolve the matter", the company said in a statement.
The Bridgewater Canal is a 39-mile canal stretching from Runcorn to Leigh in the north west. Trafford Council and the Canal and Rivers Trust do not oversee the site.
It runs from Leigh through Eccles, into Manchester city centre, Stretford, Sale, Timperley, Altrincham and Lymm before continuing on to Higher Walton, Daresbury and Runcorn.
