A TEENAGER drowned on his 14th birthday as he played with friends at a Bury beauty spot.

It is believed Michael Hillen died after a prank went tragically wrong.

His body was discovered by police divers in the River Roch on Friday night after a frantic search.

Michael, of Bury Old Road, Heywood, was discovered at about 11pm close to a deep weir at Heap Brow in Heap Bridge.

Less than 48 hours later in a separate incident, four youngsters had to be rescued from the River Irwell at Burrs Country Park.

Firefighters were called to Heap Brow at 7pm on Friday when it was reported a youngster had fallen in the river while playing with pals.

The police helicopter was called in at 8.30pm to use its thermal image camera to try and locate Michael.

Members of the fire service's water rescue team also joined the search before police underwater divers turned out at 10.30pm.

Station officer Paul Myerscough, from Bury, said: "The river was about 25 metres wide and six or seven feet deep at the weir and we were told the boy had somehow fall in and couldn't swim.

"When we arrived his friends were searching frantically for him. It was absolutely tragic because everyone was in such terrible shock. His friends were extremely distressed.

"The police divers had been in the water for about 30 minutes when the body was discovered. The water from the weir creates a tumble-dryer effect and Michael was unable to escape when he fell in. He was also snagged on underwater debris.

"All the lads from the emergency services were very upset because many of us have kids of our own and tragedies like this really do bring it home."

The boy's family was too upset to comment. The coroner has been informed and an inquest will be heard at a later date.

A 12-year-old boy arrested in connection with the incident has been bailed until September 6, pending further inquiries.