Family angry at cremation mix-up

Michael Collins was found in a doorway on Upper Brook Street

The family of a man who was cremated after his body was mistaken for someone else's have spoken of their heartbreak.

Michael Collins, 37, was cremated after being mistaken for Tommy Dennison, who had been reported missing days earlier.

The body was identified as Mr Dennison by his social worker, before his family held his funeral - only to be told the next day he was alive in Nottingham.

Mr Collins' sister, Winifred, 38, of Manchester, said her family were "devastated" over the mix-up.

She said she was angry at police over her brother, who had a distinctive tattoo that read "Enya" and another that said "Ocean" on his arm, being wrongly identified.

"Two detectives came to see me two days after the cremation," she said.

"They said my brother was deceased and he had been cremated because a family had identified him as another fella.

There may have been some resemblance between Michael and the other man, but nothing more Winifred Collins

"I asked if they were definitely sure it was Michael.

"I asked them why they did not do a DNA check or fingerprint him before confirming letting the other family have him, and they could not answer that."

Gina Partington, the mother of Tommy Dennison, went to the mortuary to see the man she thought was her son, held his hand and kissed his head.

Ms Collins said she felt angry at the police over the mix-up. The family are deeply upset as cremation is against their Catholic beliefs.

"There may have been some resemblance between Michael and the other man, but nothing more," she added.

Mr Collins had a piece of paper in his pocket with the address of the care home where his twin brother, Thomas lives.

Apology call

"If they had checked that out first this could have been avoided," Mrs Collins said.

"It was that piece of paper which led the police to us - but only after the cremation."

Ms Collins said that her brother had a chronic drink problem and it was not unusual for him not to be in contact for several days.

His body was found in a doorway in Manchester. He choked to death.

His family have said they want an apology from everyone involved and would be taking the matter further.

"We never had a chance to say our goodbyes. That is what really hurts, we were just given ashes," Ms Collins said.

Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: "An inquiry is under way into the circumstances of this distressing case.

"We referred this matter to the IPCC which has decided we should investigate under its supervision."