David Ramsden

A man who was found dead in a Manchester city centre river has been formally identified. The body of David Ramsden, 52, from Blackley, was pulled from the River Irwell after police received reports from passers-by of a man struggling in the water between Victoria Bridge, near Manchester Cathedral, and Blackfriars Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

Officers attended the scene, on Bridge Street West, and an immediate search was launched involving police divers and a fire service fast response water rescue unit based at Heywood fire station. Teams scoured half a mile of the banks and the rescue boat searched a two-mile stretch of water before Mr Ramsden's body was recovered at about 11pm. Mr Ramsden, also known as David Duran, lived on Eldermount Road.

His death is not believed to be suspicious and the case is being passed to the coroner.