Man's body found in Rossendale river (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Man's body found in Rossendale river

9:00am Tuesday 20th September 2011 in Rossendale By Vanessa Cornall, Reporter

TEENAGERS spotted the body of a 76-year-old man floating in a river.

Police are investigating the 'unexplained' death of John Sutcliffe who was found on rocks in the River Irwell, Rawtenstall, on Sunday afternoon.

He was last seen at the Waterfoot Social Club on Saturday evening where he was a well-known regular.

According to residents a group of three teenagers, thought to be cousins on holiday, were walking across Hareholme Bridge, in Rawtenstall, when they discovered his body at 1.20pm.

They alerted neighbouring residents after calling police.

Resident June Kosciw, 79, of Brookland Street, Rawtenstall, said: "My house is really off the beaten track so when I saw three young people hanging around, I went to the door to ask them what they were looking for.

“They told me there was a body in the river and I immediately went out and had a look.

“Never in the 27 years I have lived here have I seen anything like it. That poor gentleman and his family.

“I think I’m still in shock. He was just lying there on the rocks.

“When the police came they had to help me inside because my legs had turned to jelly.

“It really upset me because it’s such a lonely way to go.

“The police cordoned off my house and took down my fences so they could get better access to him.

“All the emergency services must be praised as they did everything they could to give him a dignified end, which I hope is some comfort to the family.”

Lynn Penwarden, 65, also of Brookland Street, said: “At first I thought it was a dummy or a manikin.

“But when I looked over the wall into the water I could see the man had stubble.

“It really was awful, he could have been there all night alone.

"I can’t get that image out of my mind."

His auntie Margaret Harris, 84, of Bridleway, Newchurch, said: “It is such a shock. I just can’t take it in properly.

“It’s a shame, John was such a lovely lad. He was really kind, but the shy and quiet type.”

Police are trying to trace his final movements and are appealing for anyone who saw him to come forward.

Mr Sutcliffe, of Bridleway, Newchurch, was last seen wearing blue jeans, a white shirt and a red jumper.

A police spokesman said: “We are treating Mr Sutcliffe’s death as unexplained and are appealing for information about his final movements.

“We know he spent sometime at Waterfoot Social Club on Saturday evening, but we are keen to hear from anybody who has any information about his movements following this.”

A post-mortem examination is due to take place today to determine the cause of death.

Anybody with any information is asked to call police on 08451 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.