Son of 4x4 victim leapt into the flooded river in a heroic bid to save his dad

31 December 2023 , 09:06

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The Land Rover was pulled from the water by emergency services after three men tragically died (Image: PA)

The heroic son of one the three men who died after the 4x4 they were travelling in plummeted into the River Esk dashed into the stormy water himself in an attempt to help.

Robert Forbes, 39, was following the tragic Land Rover Discovery in a separate vehicle and jumped in to try and save his father, Leslie, 70, and friends Scott Daddy, 28, and Patrick Hibbins, 59.

But despite brave Robert’s efforts all three men died after they were dragged underwater whilst crossing a treacherous ford in Glaisdale on Thursday (December 28). The river had reportedly swelled to about 5ft during Storm Gerrit and emergency services who raced to the scene were also left helpless in trying to save the group.

Leslie Forbes was named as one of the three men who died during the incident (North Yorkshire Police / SWNS)

Robert was pulled out of the water and needed medical attention, North Yorkshire Police confirmed. A spokesperson added: “The vehicle was recovered from the river by the fire service just after 3pm. Sadly, the three men inside have died. Another man who attempted to help those in the 4x4 was pulled to safety from the river at around 12.10pm. He has been receiving medical treatment. Air support was also scrambled to the location.”

A friend of Robert’s wrote online how although he had been “outside the vehicle when it got washed away” he had still “fought to save them”. A local added they had seen a man risk his own life by jumping in to help the fateful motorists.

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Arial footage showed where the Land Rover had plummeted off the track (PA)

The route they had been driving before the tragedy was marked as “unsuitable” for vehicles but had still become a hotspot for 4x4 fans. The track, known as Race Lane, runs between the villages of Glaisdale and Lealholm and has a steep river bed slope.

In a tribute on Facebook, a member of the East Riding 4x4 Club which Robert is the chairman of wrote: “Our club has felt loss before but never on a scale so big as this. These three great men will leave a very big hole in our hearts. They are the kindest souls and never had a bad word for anyone. My love and thoughts for their families will always be there and I'm honoured to call them my friends. You will be missed greatly.”

Jake Loader