Questions need to be answered by local council chiefs about the deaths of a Jewish couple who drove into a flooded road in Liverpool, an inquest has heard.
Philip Marco, who ran kosher caterers Marcos Catering, and his wife Elaine died in a flood after their car got trapped under a railway bridge on Queens Drive in Mossley Hill at around 9pm on Saturday, August 26.
Despite efforts from emergency services and members of the public, Philip, 77, and Elaine, 75, were pronounced dead in hospital two hours later.
Now Andre Rebello, senior coroner for Liverpool and Wirral, called on several public and private companies to answer questions over the tragedy.
Alongside Liverpool City Council who are responsible for highways in the area, Rebello called on water suppliers United Utilities and Network Rail, responsible for the railway bridge over the road to face questions.
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.
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.
Queens Drive where the incident occurred remains closed (Photo: Alamy)
“If it appears there are matters that need to go into the criminal jurisdiction, then so be it.”
During the short hearing on Friday, the court heard how the incident unfolded.
Emergency services were first called by members of the public at 9.22pm reporting that a vehicle had 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 at 10:50pm.
Searches at the scene continued and the black Mercedes car was located while the body of Mr Marco was also found.
He was also treated at the scene and taken to the same hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Their identities were confirmed by their sons, Joshua and Simon.
Coroner Rebello confirmed that he released the bodies of the couple, who were well known in Liverpool’s Jewish community, so that they can be buried later on Friday.
Merseyside Police are leading an investigation into the circumstances of the couples death. Liverpool City Council said the area of Queens Drive where the incident occurred could remain closed for several more weeks as investigations continue
