On the evenings of Monday and Tuesday 2nd and 3rd July 2012, (See website Incident Reports 48 / 49 dated the same) the team was involved alongside other local MRTs and Police resources, in the search for 22 years old Christopher Brahney, who went missing late on Friday evening 29th June after attending the ‘Stone Roses’ concert at Heaton Park, Middleton.
Sadly his body was discovered on July 9th in the Manchester ship Canal at Salford Quays.
Today our Team Leader Garry Rhodes MBE, received from Superintendent Simon Retford of Greater Manchester Police a thank you letter for the teams involvement in the search for Christopher Brahney, parts of which we mention below:
“Dear Garry, Rural Search Support given by MRT resources to Police reference Christopher Brahney.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your Team personnel for the superb assistance recently given to us in the North Manchester and Heywood areas. You will be aware that this case was very high profile and attracted national public and media interest. I am sincerely grateful for the support and commitment given by Bolton MRT in this (search operation)”
“In the finest traditions of MRT support you and your colleagues turned out at very short notice, to carry out extensive searches over prolonged periods. this provided invaluable assistance and I have had very positive feedback from our (Police) Search Coordinators, of the levels of commitment shown by all.”
“Please pass my thanks and best wishes to all your personnel, and thank them for their support. Sadly the outcome was not one we wanted, and you will be aware that Christopher was subsequently found in the Salford Quays area deceased. Our Family Liaison Team has stated that his parents passed really positive comments about everyone involved; particularly the civilian Search and Rescue Teams.”
“I am sure that this alone will demonstrate to Team Members the gratitude which people have for the work done by MRT colleagues.”
“Kind regards, Superintendent Simon Retford, Greater Manchester Police.”
