The Canal and River Trust and Wigan Council have vowed to 'consider further improvements' after a third man drowned in the same stretch of canal in the space of six months.
Earlier today, it was confirmed that the 47-year-old man who drowned on Monday (March 1) was Darren Hunt, who had been reported as missing the night before.
Mr Hunt's death follows those of Matt Dutton and Mikey Greenall within a four week period in August and September last year. Both deaths were ruled as accidental following inquests.
All three men have drowned on the same stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, in Wigan, between locks 77 and 83.
Following Mr Greenall's inquest last week, senior coroner Timothy Brennand told Bolton Coroner's Court that he would be writing a 'letter of concern' to Wigan Council and the Canal and River Trust.
Responding in a joint statement, they said: "The Canal & River Trust and Wigan Council are greatly saddened to learn of this further tragic death and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who has lost his life.
"Following the deaths of Matthew Dutton and Mikey Greenall, the Trust and Wigan Council have established a Water Safety Partnership with other key stakeholders, including Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue, to look at ways to improve water safety in the area.
"The Water Safety Partnership will be launching a water safety campaign and will be working with local community groups and other stakeholders to make sure that people who visit the canal and Council water bodies are safe.
"We will continue to work together to consider further improvements and will be engaging with the coroner to address his concerns following the recent inquest.
A petition has been set up to try and get barriers or lighting put up along the canal. If you would like to sign it, visit change.org.
