The Angler was fishing near a village on the banks of the River Irwell when an addled Don Brennan approached him in June 1991. Don was searching for Alf Roberts and Jim McDonald after getting separated from his companions during a fishing trip in the early hours of that morning.
The amiable angler put aside his fishing rod to listen to Don's tale. Upon hearing that he'd fallen asleep and rolled into the river, the angler passed him a flask containing hot tea and directed Don to a pub he remembered as being close to the spot he and his friends had been fishing. The angler had no sooner pointed Don towards a nearby bridge when Don spotted Alf's car driving over it - having been unable to find Don, Alf and Jim were heading home without him.