This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-19745749
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Alicia Williams and David Platt: Wrexham river victims | Alicia Williams and David Platt: Wrexham river victims |
(35 minutes later) | |
A young couple whose bodies were found in a swollen river had earlier been seen walking their dogs. | A young couple whose bodies were found in a swollen river had earlier been seen walking their dogs. |
The pair, named locally as Alicia Williams, 27, and David Platt, 25, were found in the River Clywedog near Felin Puleston, Wrexham. | The pair, named locally as Alicia Williams, 27, and David Platt, 25, were found in the River Clywedog near Felin Puleston, Wrexham. |
Ms Williams's body was found on Wednesday afternoon. Search teams then discovered Mr Platt's body on Thursday. | Ms Williams's body was found on Wednesday afternoon. Search teams then discovered Mr Platt's body on Thursday. |
Police said they had not found witnesses to confirm reports the pair had gone into the water to save a dog. | Police said they had not found witnesses to confirm reports the pair had gone into the water to save a dog. |
Officers are continuing to investigate their deaths. | Officers are continuing to investigate their deaths. |
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Pierce told reporters the couple were seen earlier walking with five dogs along the river which had been more swollen on Wednesday. | Detective Chief Inspector Mark Pierce told reporters the couple were seen earlier walking with five dogs along the river which had been more swollen on Wednesday. |
He said the emergency services were called just after 17:00 BST on Wednesday after a member of the public found the woman's body. | He said the emergency services were called just after 17:00 BST on Wednesday after a member of the public found the woman's body. |
"A search of the area revealed property and a witness who had seen the lady walking with a man in the area with some dogs," he said. | "A search of the area revealed property and a witness who had seen the lady walking with a man in the area with some dogs," he said. |
Bad weather | |
The incident comes as thousands of people around the UK are enduring problems caused by flooding, although forecasters predict the worst of the rain is over. | The incident comes as thousands of people around the UK are enduring problems caused by flooding, although forecasters predict the worst of the rain is over. |
Homes, roads and the rail network in northern parts of England and Wales continue to be affected. | Homes, roads and the rail network in northern parts of England and Wales continue to be affected. |
BBC North of England correspondent Nick Ravenscroft said residents in York were breathing a sigh of relief after the River Ouse "stabilised". | BBC North of England correspondent Nick Ravenscroft said residents in York were breathing a sigh of relief after the River Ouse "stabilised". |
Towns and villages along the river Ouse in North Yorkshire were said to have been particularly at risk. | Towns and villages along the river Ouse in North Yorkshire were said to have been particularly at risk. |
There are still more than 40 flood warnings in place, mostly in the north-east of England, but the number is expected to reduce. | There are still more than 40 flood warnings in place, mostly in the north-east of England, but the number is expected to reduce. |
The Environment Agency said about 570 homes and businesses had been flooded across England and Wales since Sunday. | The Environment Agency said about 570 homes and businesses had been flooded across England and Wales since Sunday. |
'Trauma and distress' | |
Det Ch Insp Pierce said that a search commenced for Mr Platt, who is understood to have worked at a local farm building children's play pens, and his body was found just after midnight. | Det Ch Insp Pierce said that a search commenced for Mr Platt, who is understood to have worked at a local farm building children's play pens, and his body was found just after midnight. |
"It's speculation to say whether or not the dogs have gone into the river and one or both of the couple have gone in to save the dogs. We haven't got a witness to confirm that." | "It's speculation to say whether or not the dogs have gone into the river and one or both of the couple have gone in to save the dogs. We haven't got a witness to confirm that." |
He said the families of the victims were suffering a "huge amount of distress" as they prepare for formal identification. | He said the families of the victims were suffering a "huge amount of distress" as they prepare for formal identification. |
"You can imagine the trauma and distress," he added. | "You can imagine the trauma and distress," he added. |
Workers at businesses near to the scene said they saw a lot of police activity in a nearby car park used by walkers visiting Felin Puleston, which links to Erddig country park. | Workers at businesses near to the scene said they saw a lot of police activity in a nearby car park used by walkers visiting Felin Puleston, which links to Erddig country park. |
Michael Morgan, who runs a car wash close to the scene, said he went to investigate on Wednesday after spotting a dog "too good to be a stray" by itself. | Michael Morgan, who runs a car wash close to the scene, said he went to investigate on Wednesday after spotting a dog "too good to be a stray" by itself. |
He went into the park and saw three more dogs sitting beside a Citroen Picasso, which is thought to have belonged to the couple. | He went into the park and saw three more dogs sitting beside a Citroen Picasso, which is thought to have belonged to the couple. |
He described the dogs as two retrievers, one a dark golden brown colour and one white, and a small Jack Russell. | He described the dogs as two retrievers, one a dark golden brown colour and one white, and a small Jack Russell. |
Mr Morgan said the two retrievers appeared to be wet up to their heads. | Mr Morgan said the two retrievers appeared to be wet up to their heads. |
"The next thing we know an ambulance has come down," he said. | "The next thing we know an ambulance has come down," he said. |
Paramedics asked for directions to a nearby location and after he guided them to the scene along the river they spotted a woman's body on a sand bank. | Paramedics asked for directions to a nearby location and after he guided them to the scene along the river they spotted a woman's body on a sand bank. |
He said another man had managed to pull the woman from the water. | He said another man had managed to pull the woman from the water. |
He said staff from nearby Erddig Hall, a National Trust-owned property, arrived on the scene along with crews from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service. | He said staff from nearby Erddig Hall, a National Trust-owned property, arrived on the scene along with crews from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service. |
River levels | River levels |
Sandra Davies said there was a close-knit community of dog-walkers in the area, adding: "Everybody's so friendly. It's very sad. | |
"It's such a shock too." | |
She said the river was "enormous" when she and her husband Geoff walked their dogs on Wednesday. | |
She added: "The river was over the banks. | |
"The banks have collapsed on different occasions and you do get worried about walking too near, especially with dogs who want to run and play, of course. | |
"It was extremely high yesterday." | |
North East Wales Search and Rescue (NEWSAR) say 20 volunteers were called to the scene on Wednesday following the earlier discovery of the woman's body. | North East Wales Search and Rescue (NEWSAR) say 20 volunteers were called to the scene on Wednesday following the earlier discovery of the woman's body. |
They checked various locations along the river and surrounding water meadow, said a spokesman. | They checked various locations along the river and surrounding water meadow, said a spokesman. |
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101. | Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101. |