Heartbreaking tragedy as dad-to-be dies after being rescued from water

A dad-to-be tragically died after being rescued from a brook in Cheadle on Sunday night (May 26). Emergency services raced to reports of a 'person in need of rescue' off Wilmslow Road at around 8pm.

The man, pulled from the water in nearby Micker Brook, later died. He has since been named by friends as Junaid Athar, who they said was expecting a baby with his partner.

A spokesperson for Manchester Coroners' Court confirmed to the Manchester Evening News that Mr Athar's death has been referred to the coroner. According to his friends, he lived in Cheadle and previously studied at Nottingham Trent University.

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Mr Athar's nephew also posted on social media with a tribute, writing: "My uncle Junaid Athar passed away today, Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un." This translates to: "We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return."

Police, fire crews and paramedics attended the incident along the main road, beside Brookfields Park, as water rescue teams from the fire service were called in to help with the rescue mission. Wilmslow Road was closed off in both directions for over an hour as emergency crews responded.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "At around 7.50pm on Sunday 26 May, officers received a report regarding the concern for the welfare of a man in water just off Broadway, Cheadle.

"Sadly, despite the best efforts of emergency services, a man was pronounced dead shortly after. There are no suspicious circumstances and a coronial investigation is ongoing."

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: "Just before 8pm this evening (Sunday 26th May) firefighters were called