Clubbers Help Needed Over NYE Death in Manchester

Police have released CCTV images of a number of people they think may have seen a Manchester student before he died.

19 year old Souvik Pal was reported missing by his flatmate in the early hours of 1 January 2013.

His body was recovered from the Bridgewater Canal near Old Trafford on the 22nd February.

He had been out to the Warehouse Project on Trafford Wharf Road and left at about 11pm on New Year's Eve.

Officers would like to speak to the five people who were seen outside the Warehouse Project at that time.

Detective Chief Inspector Colin Larkin, said:

"This has been a very difficult time for the family of Souvik Pal, who understandably want to know the circumstances surrounding his tragic death.

"This is why we are asking for the people pictured to come forward and speak to the police about what they may remember.

"I want to firstly say to them that they are not in any trouble at all and there should be no reason for them to hesitate to get in touch with us.

"All we want know is what they saw, even if they don't think they have any information that is significant to this investigation.

"One of the people pictured is a young man, who at one point was seen walking away from the Warehouse Project with Souvik.

"The young woman who is pictured was also seen talking to this man earlier on."

DCI Larkin added: 

"We are keeping an open mind but believe that both Souvik and this young man may have been simply trying to find a way back into the Warehouse Project."

"While we cannot rule out any third party involvement, all of our enquiries suggest that Souvik's death was the result of a tragic accident."

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161 856 4423 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.