Featured Image Credit: Family handout/Peter Byrne/PA Wire
Topics: UK News
Claire Reid
Two people tragically died after becoming trapped in their car on a flooded road in Liverpool.
Police were called out following a report of concern for the safety of a man and woman stuck inside a black Mercedes in the Mossley Hill area of the city.
Rebecca Wilson, who was travelling along the road in a taxi at the time, told the Liverpool Echo she thought she saw ‘red lights’ under the water so called the police.
She said: "We went to turn around the car and all of a sudden it looked like a waterfall coming down from the side of the bridge.
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“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."
A man and a woman were found at the scene and both were taken to hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
Their next of kin have been informed and formal identification has been made, police said.
The couple have been named locally as married couple Philip and Elaine Marco, the Liverpool Echo reports.
Paying tribute to the couple, one friend said: "Terrible tragedy with the passing of our dear friends, Philip and Elaine Marco. May Hashem heal the torn hearts of their children and grandchildren. A huge loss to our community."
Merseyside Police have been asked by the coroner to further investigate the incident.
Detective Chief Inspector Mike Dalton said: “Our thoughts go out to the family of the man and woman who sadly lost their lives in this tragic incident, despite the best efforts of passing members of the public, our officers and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Services at the scene.
“We are at the early stages of an ongoing investigation on Queens Drive to establish the circumstances of this tragic incident.
“Road closures remain in the area as we continue with this investigation and motorists are advised to avoid the road.
“We are continuing to appeal to anyone who was on Queens Drive, between North Mossley Hill Road and Dovedale Road at around 9.20pm last night and saw the accident, or who stopped to try to help or anyone who had any dashcam footage from their car to come forward as soon as possible.
“Similarly, if you live in the area and have any doorbell or CCTV footage from last night please share this with us.”
A Liverpool City Council spokesperson said on Monday: “This was a tragic incident and our thoughts are with those involved and their families.
“Council officers from highways and City Watch supported the emergency services in responding. The road is expected to remain closed for some time while an investigation takes place, and motorists are asked to continue to avoid the area.”