(Image: MEN Media)
Street becomes crime scene after man, 61, found dead following 'domestic' incident
by James Holt · Manchester Evening NewsA residential street became a crime scene on Thursday morning (October 10) after a man was found dead following a 'domestic' incident at a house.
Emergency services raced to reports of an 'altercation' at a property on Counthill Road in the Moorside area of Oldham at around 1.20am.
Witnesses said that adjoining Crowley Lane was also taped off by police throughout the morning, with officers standing guard at the cordon throughout the day amid investigations.
Officers from Greater Manchester Police found a 61-year-old man dead at the scene when they arrived. His next of kin have been informed and his family are being supported by specialist officers.
A 40-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody to be questioned. Police remained at the scene throughout the day, with officers seen going into the back garden of the property.
Locals woke up to police and ambulance vehicles outside their homes after the incident. The Manchester Evening News understands the 'altercation' was a 'domestic incident'.
(Image: MEN Media)
Detectives were also seen carrying out door to door enquiries in the locality as investigations into the suspected murder continued. By the afternoon, the cordon had been reduced in size, with police tape wrapped around two vans outside the house and blocking the pavement.
“There’s two lads that come and go - the family have lived there for years,” one Counthill Road resident said. “We didn’t hear anything going on at all.
"The first thing I knew was when my wife told me it was all taped off this morning. It’s shocking really. You never get anything like this on this street. It's very quiet up here."
Another resident, who lives just feet away from the incident, said she knew the victim 'in passing' after seeing him in the local shop. "The first I heard of it was when I took my son to school this morning because I was asleep,” she said. “I wouldn’t know the man by name but I’ve seen him around and in the shop and that."
As an Almond Road homeowner added: "There were loads of police cars and ambulances here this morning, all the works. Detectives have been knocking on houses saying it was a serious incident."
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: "At around 1.20am this morning, officers responded to reports of an altercation at a property on Counthill Road, Oldham.
"Sadly, a man aged 61 was found dead by officers upon their arrival. His family are currently being supported by specialist officers at this time.
"A man aged 40 has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody for questioning. Detectives are in attendance at the property as they continue their enquiries."