Couple whose car swamped by flood 'died apart' with husband found hours later

01 September 2023 , 11:36

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Elaine and Philip Marco died when they were trapped in a car which was driven into flood water (Image: PA)

An elderly couple did not die together after their Mercedes was swamped by floodwater on a road in Liverpool, a court has heard.

An inquest into the deaths of Elaine Marco, 76, and Philip Marco, 77, who died after their car became trapped in flood water just a week before their 54th wedding anniversary, has been adjourned until next year.

During a short hearing at Liverpool coroner’s court today, brief details were given about the incident on Queens Drive in Mossley Hill last Saturday. The court heard emergency services were first called by members of the public at 9.22pm reporting a vehicle submerged in water on the road going under the railway bridge with people believed to be in the vehicle.

Police, fire and ambulance crews responded with firefighters locating the body of Mrs Marco. She was given first aid at the scene and then transported to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 10:50pm.

The car became submerged under a bridge on Queens Drive (Jason Roberts photography)

Searches at the scene continued and the black Mercedes car was located, with the body of Mr Marco not found until 10:47pm. He was also treated at the scene and taken to the same hospital where death was confirmed. Their identities were confirmed by their sons, Joshua and Simon.

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Mr Rebello said: “This is a complex investigation. Clearly there are questions that will need to be answered with regard to the highway authority, the system of work, maintenance of the road, vigilance with regard to inclement weather.” Liverpool City Council says it will take 'appropriate action' and said it is "committed to fully co-operating with an investigation into an incident".

Earlier this week, councillor Richard Kemp, the deputy Lord Mayor of Liverpool, said there have been three floods this year in same spot that took the lives of the pensioners. The death of the kosher caterers has been described as a "terrible loss" to their community, with their Rabbi calling them "dedicated and devoted grandparents".

A statement from Elaine and Philip's family read: "We are devastated and heartbroken by the sudden loss of Elaine and Philip Marco. They were much-loved parents to four children and 10 grandchildren. The family are arriving overseas from America and Australia to mourn their loss. They were due to celebrate their 54th wedding anniversary next week and our only comfort is knowing that they were together to the very end."

The devastating accident has prompted an outpouring of grief from the married couple's friends and their local synagogue. Lubavitch Liverpool wrote on Facebook: "Terrible tragedy with the passing of our dear friends, Philip & Elaine Marco. "May Hashem heal the torn hearts of their children and grandchildren. A huge loss to our community." A friend posted: "My thoughts and prayers are with their family and the whole community", and another added: "RIP Elaine and Philip xxx".

Merseyside Police are now investigating the accident, which happened in a road that floods "nearly every time it rains". It is not known exactly what caused the flooding, but residents have speculated that it may have been a burst pipe. Rebecca Wilson, who was travelling along the road when her taxi nearly went into the floods, said the water was around 15ft high. She told the Liverpool Echo: "All of a sudden it looked like a waterfall coming down from the side of the bridge.

"As I looked back out of the window I turned to my mates and told them I thought I had just seen red lights under the water and I thought maybe someone had become stuck. I rang the police just to be safe. The water just came out of nowhere and the rain was so heavy that night and a part of me just wished I had turned back and gone home.

"It was terrifying and I just thought I was seeing things at first and then I saw on the news that there was a car in there this morning. The water was gushing down like a waterfall and it was tonnes and tonnes of water. It looked like a burst dam and I think it must have been 15ft high right at the bottom of the dip."

Sam Elliott-Gibbs