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Buxton river crash: Wife of David Cox pays tribute to him | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The wife of a man killed when his car crashed into a Derbyshire river has described him as "a wonderful loving father and husband". | |
David Cox, who worked at the BBC in Salford, skidded off a bridlepath north of the A6 in Buxton. | David Cox, who worked at the BBC in Salford, skidded off a bridlepath north of the A6 in Buxton. |
His wife Ruth, who crashed into the same stretch of the River Wye five minutes later, described how she and the couple's two children escaped. | |
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue said the "weather certainly contributed". | |
The first crash happened at about 08:30 GMT on Thursday, when 42-year-old Mr Cox's Toyota Aygo is believed to have slid on an area of snow or ice while driving his daughter to school. | |
After the car went into the river, his 11-year-old daughter Tess managed to free herself from the vehicle but her father remained trapped. | |
Minutes later, Mrs Cox's Toyota Rav4 is believed to have slipped on the same part of the road, before it plunged into the river. | |
The 39-year-old mother and her son Ioan, nine, were both able to escape from the vehicle and get out of the water. | |
'Happy family' | |
In a statement Ruth Cox said: "I am very proud of our daughter Tess. She held her breath and dived under the water to look for a way out of the car. Tess then swam to the far bank. | |
"I am also very proud of our son Ioan. Whilst the car was filling with water he kept calm and attempted to unsuccessfully smash the rear side window. | |
"We were both able to get out of the car and onto the river bank. I am very proud of how they ran back down the lane to the cottages to raise the alarm. | |
"We were a very happy family and I will do my utmost to make us a happy family again." | |
She added: "I would like to thank my wonderful friends and neighbours for all their help and support. I would also like to thank all the rescue services involved." | |
'Shouting for help' | 'Shouting for help' |
The family, from nearby Blackwell Mill, were treated at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport, Greater Manchester, where Mr Cox later died. Mrs Cox and the two children were later discharged. | |
It is believed that Mr Cox was trapped for about 40 minutes. | It is believed that Mr Cox was trapped for about 40 minutes. |
Neighbour Victoria Bamber, 32, said his son Ioan ran down the country lane shouting for help. | Neighbour Victoria Bamber, 32, said his son Ioan ran down the country lane shouting for help. |
She said: "He came banging on the door saying 'There's been an accident, Daddy is trapped'. | She said: "He came banging on the door saying 'There's been an accident, Daddy is trapped'. |
"When I got to the scene, I could only see the silver 4x4 upside down in the water and Ruth was desperately trying to find David." | "When I got to the scene, I could only see the silver 4x4 upside down in the water and Ruth was desperately trying to find David." |
She said she waded into the water to try to help Mr Cox and, after locals managed to drag him out, emergency services personnel began resuscitation attempts on the riverbank. | |
Both cars were recovered from the scene of the accident, which is around half a mile from the family's home. | Both cars were recovered from the scene of the accident, which is around half a mile from the family's home. |
Mr Cox, who had been at the BBC since May 2010, was a member of the Future Media team at Salford, and had worked on the red button service during the Olympics. | Mr Cox, who had been at the BBC since May 2010, was a member of the Future Media team at Salford, and had worked on the red button service during the Olympics. |
Roux Joubert, head of TV and mobile platforms, said: "David was an important member of the team and played a central role in the department. | Roux Joubert, head of TV and mobile platforms, said: "David was an important member of the team and played a central role in the department. |
"He will be sorely missed by everyone here and our thoughts are with his family at this time." | "He will be sorely missed by everyone here and our thoughts are with his family at this time." |
Tim Davie, the BBC's acting director general, said: "We are very sad to learn of David's tragic death. | Tim Davie, the BBC's acting director general, said: "We are very sad to learn of David's tragic death. |
"He was a popular member of the Future Media team in Salford and had been key to the success of the red button service during the Olympics in the summer. | "He was a popular member of the Future Media team in Salford and had been key to the success of the red button service during the Olympics in the summer. |
"Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues here at the BBC at this difficult time." | "Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues here at the BBC at this difficult time." |
Derbyshire Police said an investigation is ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the crash, and a file will be prepared for the coroner in due course. | Derbyshire Police said an investigation is ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the crash, and a file will be prepared for the coroner in due course. |