A couple died after their car became trapped in floodwater in a south Liverpool road – their grieving daughter has spoken of her devastation at their loss
The heartbroken daughter of a devoted married couple who tragically died when their car was caught in floodwater on a south Liverpool road has said the devastation of their loss has “completely shattered her world.”
Sarah Marco, the daughter of Elaine and Philip Marco, who met a tragic end on Queens Drive in August 2023, reflected on how, 54 years after their wedding day, instead of celebrating their enduring love, their bodies were being readied for post-mortems and burial in a tragedy that will forever haunt their family.
Ms Marco, one of four children to Elaine and Philip, fought back tears as she delivered a deeply moving statement at the start of the inquest into her parents’ deaths. She portrayed her mum and dad as the family’s “heroes, guides and safe space” and stated “we have all lost our foundation.”
The couple, well-known figures in south Liverpool and within the city’s Jewish community, perished when their car was engulfed by flash flooding under a railway bridge on a stretch of Queens Drive in Mossley Hill on August 26, 2023. The disaster occurred just days before their 54th wedding anniversary.
Emergency services were alerted to the incident at 9.20pm, and police administered CPR to Mrs Marco, aged 76, before she was rushed to the Royal Liverpool Hospital where she was declared dead at 10.50pm. A subsequent search of the flooded road found the vehicle submerged in the water, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Mr Marco was discovered at 10.47pm and received immediate treatment at the scene before being transported to hospital, where he was declared dead at 11.20pm.
This tragic incident has raised serious concerns about the risk of flooding in the area, prompting Liverpool City Council to implement a series of safety measures, including a five-month closure of a section of Queens Drive. The ongoing inquest this week will probe further into the matter, with council representatives and other authorities expected to provide detailed accounts of the event.
On the first day of the inquest at Gerard Majella Courthouse in Liverpool, Sarah Marco, residing in Australia, delivered a moving tribute to her parents’ deep love for each other, their four children, ten grandchildren, and extended family.
She commenced by reading a love note her father had sent to her mother 58 years ago, which read: “Good morning my precious, wonderful, gorgeous, darling little rosebud. I hope you are not annoyed at me for phoning you, only I miss you and love you so very very much.”
She revealed that her father penned a similar note to her mother every single day from the moment they fell in love until their wedding day.
She told the court: “Their love story was rare. They spent every waking moment together, always hand in hand. They found joy in simple things, like sitting on a bench in their garden, surrounded by flowers and sunshine. My siblings and I were raised in a home that overflowed with warmth and unconditional love. We were made to feel like we were their universe. Growing up in that environment was a privilege.”
Reflecting on the day they died, Ms Marco revealed she had spent an hour chatting to her parents on FaceTime and had mentioned her plans to visit the UK for the December holidays, explaining they were “overjoyed”. She said her youngest son had discussed going to Anfield with his grandad to watch Liverpool take on Arsenal.
She continued: “After we hung up, I said to my husband, ‘My parents look so good, I have years left with them’. How wrong I was. My son never went to that match. His chance to experience that moment with his grandfather was stolen.”
Describing the household where she and her siblings were brought up, she continued: “Together, they created a home that overflowed with love, warmth, and unwavering support. They made each of us their children and grandchildren feel like we were their entire world. They were devoted, selfless, and consistently present. They cheered us on through every high and held us through every low.”
Elaine and Philip were set to mark their 54th wedding anniversary on August 31 2023, a date Sarah had deliberately chosen for her own nuptials in hopes of emulating her parents’ romantic tale.
She explained: “Tragically, this date is now marred. On the anniversary of their wedding, my parents were being prepared for dual autopsies and burial. A heartbreaking contrast to the same day 54 years earlier, when my mother was having her hair and makeup done for the happiest day of her life.”
Disclosing that the devastating events have left her battling PTSD and unable to resume work, Ms Marco continued: “There are no words that can adequately describe the depth of grief I feel. The loss of my parents has completely shattered my world. I wake up each day in a haze, a fog of sadness and disbelief that never lifts.”
She went on: “There are moments when I physically struggle to breathe, as though the air has been stolen from my lungs. My heart aches constantly not metaphorically, but in a real, physical way. I now understand what it means to be truly broken-hearted.”
The inquest is anticipated to run for the remainder of this week.
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