Liverpool flooding couple died together just a week shy of their 54th wedding anniversary, heartbroken family reveal
- The Marco family shared their unimaginable grief following the tragedy
The ‘devastated’ family of a tragic elderly couple who died a week before their 54th wedding anniversary after their Mercedes became stuck in flood water in Liverpool have said the only comfort they can find is that they were ‘together to the very end’.
Philip and Elaine Marco died in the horrific incident in the Mossley Hill area of the city, at about 9pm on Saturday.
Firefighters and police called to the scene eventually managed to free the pair and they were taken to hospital but could not be revived.
In a statement issued via Merseyside Police, the Marcos’ family said: ‘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.
Philip and Elaine Marco have been named locally as the victims of the tragedy
‘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.’
Paying tribute to the couple, one friend said: ‘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.’
Witnesses described seeing ‘red lights under water’ and scenes ‘like a burst dam’ after they got caught in the flood – which may have been caused by a burst pipe.
Torrents of water can be seen sending waves towards pedestrians, with powerful currents raging beneath the Liverpool bridge.
READ MORE: Video shows tunnel where two people died after their Mercedes got stuck in water and they were trapped inside
Locals described the flood as being as high as 15ft and the river of water rises high on a lamppost up the hill from the bridge in dramatic footage.
The car was seen being submerged by water below the bridge on Saturday night.
And beyond the overpass, a powerful fountain appears to be sending water into the air – as witnesses speculated the mass of water was caused by a burst pipe.
Members of the public tried to help the tragic pair at the scene of the Liverpool tragedy but they did not survive.
Merseyside Police, who have launched a probe into the tragedy, were called to Queens Drive in Mossley Hill after reports that two people were stuck inside their submerged vehicle on Saturday.
Rebecca Wilson was traveling along Queens Drive when her taxi nearly went into the water that same evening.
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.
‘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.’
Ms Wilson added: ‘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.
Police said the man and woman, who were in a black Mercedes Class 180, were taken to hospital and later pronounced dead
Locals described the flood as being as high as 15ft and the river of water rises high on a lamppost in dramatic footage
Officers said the pair drove into a flooded area on Queens Drive, between North Mossley Hill Road and Dovedale Road in Liverpool
‘The water was gushing down like a waterfall and it was tons and tons of water.
‘It looked like a burst dam and I think it must have been 15ft high right at the bottom of the dip.’
Officers said the pair drove into a flooded area on Queens Drive, between North Mossley Hill Road and Dovedale Road in Liverpool.
Police patrols assisted Merseyside Fire and Rescue Services at the scene in finding the man and woman. The next of kin of both have now been informed and formal identification has been made.
A file has been passed to the coroner who has asked Merseyside Police to further investigate the incident.
Those living around the area told the Liverpool Echo about how the road, which dips as it goes beneath a bridge, has long been a problem.
They said that multiple cars have been stuck in deep water in the last few months, which floods whenever there is torrential rain.
One man who lives on an adjacent road was walking his dog when the Echo attended the scene this morning. He spoke about the heavy rain last night that led to the flooding of the road.
He said: ‘I’ve never seen it that bad. That’s the deepest I’ve ever seen it.. It was absolutely lashing it down. Rarely have I seen it rain that bad. But nearly every time it rains they seem to have to close the road.
‘The whole of Rose Lane was moving [because of the water] yesterday then to think somebody drove down there.’
He added: ‘You could see the waves on it. I’ve never seen it that deep. Everybody was out last night. They had a drone over the top and you could hear the pumps. Neighbours said there was one or two ambulances.’
Another neighbour said: ‘It floods every time you have torrential rain. In the last six months there have been at least two cars stuck. There is nothing leading it to warn people of the flooding.’
One woman at the scene this morning said the problem was ‘supposed to have been fixed’ and that flooding and cars getting stuck ‘happens all the time…’
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 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.’
‘Thank you for your patience whilst we deal with this tragic incident.’
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