River Clywedog death couple drowned

A young mother and her fiance who were found dead at a swollen river had died as a result of drowning, post-mortem examinations found today.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned into the deaths of Alicia Williams and David Platt, both 25, who had been walking their five dogs on a flooded path shortly before the tragedy happened on Wednesday.

The body of Ms Williams, who had a three-year-old daughter, was found in the River Clywedog in Erddig Country Park, near Wrexham, North Wales, shortly after 5pm.

Further searches of the river recovered the body of carpenter Mr Platt seven hours later.

It is feared the couple, of Henry Street, Ruabon, may have entered the river trying to rescue one of their dogs and drowned in fast currents caused by heavy rainfall.

Locals said the Clywedog had risen by about four feet (1.2m) during this week's heavy rain.

North Wales Police said they are treating the deaths as unexplained and have appealed for witnesses.

Opening the inquests today, North East Wales Coroner John Gittins was told post-mortem tests have established they both drowned.

He adjourned the hearing until a later date.

PA