Harrowing final moments as son clung to roof of submerged Land Rover in Glaisdale river tragedy
An inquest heard the tragic tale of a son who clung to the roof of a submerged Land Rover, desperately trying to save his father and two friends trapped inside as it was swept away by a river.
The victims were identified as Scott Thomas Daddy, 28, from Hull; Leslie Forbes, 70, from East Yorkshire; and Kenneth Patrick Hibbins, 59, known as Patrick, from York. They lost their lives while attempting to cross a ford on the River Esk in North Yorkshire on December 28, last year.
The inquest in Northallerton revealed that the river was three and a half feet higher than usual at the crossing near Glaisdale when the group attempted the crossing. All experienced 4x4 drivers, they were participating in a "green laning" day event, often referred to as off-roading, but on public rights of way organised by their 4x4 club.
When they reached the ford at Rake Lane, Robert Forbes, son of Mr Forbes and also part of the group, said they collectively decided it would be safe to cross. He left the vehicle to take pictures from the other side of the bridge, the inquest heard.
Robert Gibb, who was in the vehicle behind Mr Forbes, said he got out of his car at the ford and "thought it looked a bit dodgy to drive through" because he could see "white, horses, like waves breaking over where you actually drive through", but before he could voice his concerns, Mr Forbes had already started moving forward.
Robert Forbes, who was visibly distressed during his testimony, asked senior coroner Jonathan Leach to read his statement as he was "finding it really hard", reports Yorkshire Live. The inquest heard that the Land Rover, driven by Mr Forbes with Mr Daddy and Mr Hibbins as front and rear passengers, made it about halfway across the river before being swept away.
It sank downstream, and emergency services only located it because Robert Forbes was on the roof attempting to rescue his father and friends, the coroner was informed. Robert Forbes stated that he and his father were seasoned green laners and had crossed that specific ford "several times".
His statement, read at the hearing, said: "Once we got to Rake ford the river was high but I thought it would be crossable. I had crossed fords similar to this in the past with the same water height successfully and did not think there would be any issues."
He described how the vehicle "made it about halfway before it started to be taken off". "The river water was too fast flowing and took the vehicle off course," he added.
In his statement, Robert Forbes detailed how he quickly threw his phone on the riverbank and entered the river, standing on the rear bumper while holding onto the ladder. He recalled hearing Mr Daddy saying: "I'll smash a window".
However, the inquest was informed that the men were unable to break the windows, which were electronically operated and didn't function when the engine was off. The pressure of the water also prevented them from opening the doors.
Robert Forbes' statement detailed his frantic efforts to save the three men trapped in the Land Rover. He tried to open the door and catch a strap thrown by someone on the riverbank, but it sank before reaching him.
His statement read: "It was my intention to stay on the car until emergency services arrived and could get them out. I couldn't face to leave the car and let the guys down."
The inquest heard that farmers and firefighters rescued Robert Forbes before he was taken to hospital, but he stated he had no memory of it. "I don't recall much after that, I don't remember how I got off the vehicle, I remember having hold of the rope, I think someone had pulled me out of the water but I'm not entirely sure how it happened," he said.
A firefighter who attended the scene told the inquest that the car had been submerged for about an hour by the time they reached the remote location, and the fast-moving, cold deep water hindered recovery efforts. Police Constable Matthew Townfield of North Yorkshire Police, who investigated the scene, said the vehicle had been fitted with a dog cage which was "likely to have hindered any escape or rescue attempt".
The inquest was informed that the bodies of the three men were retrieved between 3.15pm and 3.35pm. A pathologist determined that all three men had tragically drowned. Mr Leach recorded a conclusion of misadventure.
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