Winsford personal trainer missing as reservoir search continues

Simon Daniels was paddleboarding with a woman on Dovestone Reservoir in the Peak District, east of Oldham, on Sunday, October 20.  

Greater Manchester Police say the 29-year-old and his companion fell off their inflatable paddleboard at around 2.30pm and entered the water. 

The woman was rescued and treated by paramedics for hypothermia and shock, but Simon is still missing.

Search and rescue efforts involving police water rescue units, fire crews, Coastguard and Mountain Rescue, continued throughout Sunday night and into Monday.  

Simon was voted personal trainer of the year by Northwich & Winsford Guardian readers in 2023 (Image: Newsquest)

The public was warned to stay away from the search area.

Specialist search teams remained at the scene through Monday, October 21, including underwater search units, using all the appropriate resources available.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) released a statement on Monday evening, stating specially trained officers are continuing to support Simon’s family.

It added emergency services personnel were working in very difficult conditions, doing everything they can to locate him, and the search would continue on Tuesday in daylight hours.

Simon told the Guardian physical exercise is 'the one thing in life he excels at' (Image: Newsquest) In a statement released on Sunday, a GMP spokesman said: “Emergency services are responding to reports of two people going into water at Dovestone Reservoir.

"One person has been recovered from the water and is currently being treated by paramedics.

"Attempts are ongoing to locate the second person.

"A search operation is underway with emergency services, including the Coastguard and Mountain Rescue, at the scene.

"People are kindly asked to please avoid the area."

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At shortly before 2.30pm on Sunday, October 20, fire crews were called to Dovestone Reservoir in Oldham following reports of a person in the water.

Specialist teams are still searching the reservoir (Image: Newsquest)“Three fire engines from Mossley, Stalybridge, and Eccles along with the Water Incident Unit from Leigh, quickly attended the scene.

“Crews are working alongside emergency service colleagues and remain in attendance.”

In their most recent update on Monday afternoon, GMP’s spokesman added: “The scene remains in place at Dovestone Reservoir.

“Specially trained officers are continuing to support the family of the missing person.

“Emergency services personnel are working in very difficult conditions and are doing everything they can.

“The search will continue tomorrow (Tuesday) in daylight hours.”

Simon was nominated Northwich & Winsford Guardian’s personal trainer of the year by readers in 2023.

He has worked in the fitness industry since leaving school, and says it’s the 'one thing in life which he excels at'.

In a Facebook post the day he went missing, Simon wrote: "You don’t have to be the ‘angry big guy’ in the gym.

"Instead, be the person who smiles, offers a helping hand, and inspires others to push themselves.

"We all started somewhere. Remember, the gym should be a place where people feel empowered, not intimidated."