Answers needed over how couple died on flooded road in Liverpool says coroner

Video report by ITV Granada Reports correspondent Emma Sweeney

Questions need to be answered about the deaths of a couple who drove into a flooded road in Liverpool, a court has heard.

Andre Rebello, senior coroner for Liverpool and Wirral, also said he wants a monthly update report from detectives at Merseyside Police who are investigating the deaths of grandparents Elaine, 76, and Philip Marco, 77.

Mr and Mrs Marco died days before their 54th wedding anniversary when their black Mercedes drove into floodwater in Queens Drive in the Mossley Hill area of Liverpool, at about 9.20pm on 26 August.

Tributes to grandparents who died after becoming trapped in car in flooded road

During a short hearing at Liverpool coroner’s court where inquests into their deaths were opened and adjourned, brief details were given about the incident.

Police said the car was submerged in heavy flooding in south Liverpool on Saturday night. Credit: Liverpool Echo

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, the court heard.

Couple die after car driven into flood water

Searches at the scene continued and the black Mercedes car was located and the body of Mr Marco also found. 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.

The road where the incident took place will be closed for some time, Merseyside Police have said. Credit: Liverpool Echo

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.”

The coroner also said liaison will be need with United Utilities, the area’s water supplier and Network Rail, responsible for the railway bridge over the road.

He added: “Inquiries will need to be made with regard to the history of this road and lessons learned from previous experience, particularly from residents of the area and that will all take some time.

“It would be premature of me to identify any other interested parties whose actions or inactions might have caused or contributed to this incident. It’s very important we allow police to get on with their inquiries.

“If it appears there are matters that need to go into the criminal jurisdiction, then so be it.”

Mr Rebello adjourned the inquest hearing until next year and asked coroner’s staff to pass on his condolences to the Marco family.

The couple were discovered after police were called to reports of a man and a woman inside a black Mercedes that drove into a flooded area. Credit: Liverpool Echo

Earlier, the hearing was told Mr Marco was originally from London and his wife from Liverpool and both were retired caterers.

In a statement after their deaths, the couple’s family said the “only comfort” was that they were together to the end.

Friends described them as a “kind and generous” couple whose catering business was popular in the local Jewish community they were part of.

“The family are arriving – from America and Australia to mourn their loss.”

Mr and Mrs Marco will be buried later today. A further preliminary inquest hearing is scheduled for 27 February 2024.

The road where the incident took place will be closed for some time, Merseyside Police have said.