River Wye crash: Father David Cox killed as car skids into icy water

A father died when his car skidded into a river just before his wife's vehicle also plunged into the icy water.

David Cox, 42, was taking his 11-year-old daughter Tess to school when their Toyota Aygo left the path and crashed into the River Wye in Derbyshire.

Moments behind them in a separate car, a Toyota Rav 4, was his wife Ruth, 39, and son Ioan, nine.

Mrs Cox also lost control yesterday as she drove along the bridlepath which runs near the Monsal Trail, north of the A6 in Derbyshire.

The children and their mother managed to get out of the cars and get safely to shore but Mr Cox was unable to escape.

Neighbours tried to save him but it is believed he was trapped for around 40 minutes. He died later in hospital,

Neighbour Victoria Bamber, 32, said Ioan came running down the country lane shouting for help.

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."

She said she waded into the freezing cold water to try to help Mr Cox and after locals managed to drag him out, emergency services personnel began resuscitation attempts on the riverbank.

Mrs Cox and the two young children were unhurt in the accident.

Paul Hawker, station manager at Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, was one of the first on the scene and said the wintry weather in the area was a contributing factor in the accident, a fire service spokeswoman said.

Both cars were recovered from the scene of the accident, which is around half a mile from the family's home at Blackwell Mill near Buxton, late yesterday afternoon.

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.

Mr Cox worked for the BBC as part of the Future Media team in Salford.

His colleagues at the corporation paid tribute to him.

Tim Davie, 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.

"Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues here at the BBC at this difficult time."

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."

PA