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Boy, 12, on river killing charge

27/ 7/2005

A BOY of 12 has been charged with manslaughter following the death of a schoolboy in the River Roch at Heap Bridge.

Police say the accused boy, who is too young to be named, was charged on Monday evening and was due to appear before Rochdale Magistrates today (Thursday).

Michael Hillen, of Bury Old Road, Darnhill, died on his 14th birthday on 8 July after he had been playing with a group of friends on the banks of the river, near a weir.

Police divers recovered his body after a four hour search involving police and Heywood fire station's water rescue crew.

Since then, detectives have interviewed all the other youngsters who were at the scene to discover whether Michael's death was an accident.

Although Michael was an outstanding young sportsman at St Joseph's RC High School, he was unable to swim.

Already, all the pupils have been given a memorial bookmark, bearing Michael's picture but a permanent memorial to him is to be created at the school next term.

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