HUNDREDS of fish have been found floating dead in the River Mersey in Warrington.

Reports came through yesterday morning, Monday, that numerous fish had been found dead or ‘gasping for breath’ on the surface of the water along the waterway. 

Zoe Cohen was out walking across Howley Suspension Bridge when she noticed ‘what appeared to be fish coming to the surface of the water, looking like they were gasping for breath.’

“I saw more and more fish behaving like this, and then I started to see a single dead fish floating past.”

Warrington Guardian: Dead fish at the surface of the MerseyDead fish at the surface of the Mersey (Image: Newsquest)

After investigating further, she saw more and more distressed fish at the surface, and more dead ones too, until she ‘lost count of both types’.

Upon reaching an inlet of Padgate Brook flowing into the Mersey, she saw a shocking site. 

“It was literally heaving with hundreds dead and dying fish, of all shapes and sizes," she continued.

"I burst out crying, knowing that these fish most likely died of asphyxiation because of the reduced oxygen levels when water heats up. 

“They probably literally could not breathe and suffocated. No wild animal should have to suffer that.”

A spokesman for the Environmental Agency said: “We continue to investigate a significant number of fish deaths and fish in distress incidents across Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire. 

“We believe that many of the problems we are seeing are as a result of low dissolved oxygen due to a combination of the high temperatures we have experienced recently, and the low atmospheric pressure caused by the thunderstorms.

"However, our officers are investigating at multiple locations to rule out any other causes such as pollution. 

“It is important that members of the public who spot fish in distress report it to our 24/7 incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60 so that our officers can investigate.” 

Meanwhile, a spokesman for United Utilities said: "Our teams have been out to investigate reports of dead fish in the River Mersey in Warrington.

"They have confirmed that this is not related to our operations.

"We have taken water samples and passed our results on to the Environment Agency. We would encourage anyone who sees anything like this to contact the EA."

Warrington Borough Council did not comment, confirming that the Environment Agency deals with environmental incidents such as this.