Elderly couple drown after ‘reversing off 20ft cliff while trying to park’
Peugeot plunged backwards into an estuary and overturned, trapping couple inside
AN elderly couple drowned after accidentally reversing off a cliff while trying to park, a witness said today.
Their Peugeot plunged backwards 20ft into an estuary and overturned, trapping them upside down.
Police and members of the public bravely entered the water in an effort to free the trapped couple as an RNLI lifeboat crew rushed to the scene.
But they could not be saved despite the frantic rescue effort yesterday afternoon at Hooe Lake in Turnchapel, near Plymouth, Devon.
One shocked witness said: "It looked like the car was reversing to park up, but went too far.
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The man was pulled from the overturned car and given CPR by officers before ambulance crews arrived.
A woman was also recovered from the vehicle by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.
Former Royal Marine John Wheeler, who lives nearby, said: "I saw them diving into the water to the vehicle which was under the water.
"I saw several people around it and I gathered they couldn't get somebody out, or two people out, of the vehicle. It seemed like it was stuck.
"They made some really good attempts to get it done."
A police spokesman said: "Police officers administered CPR on the man before ambulance crews arrived at the scene. He was taken to Derriford Hospital.
"A woman was also recovered from the vehicle by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.
"Both occupants of the vehicle are confirmed as deceased."
Dozens of rescuers including air ambulance, HM Coastguard, the RNLI and lifeboat and Ministry of Defence Police were at the scene earlier today.
Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
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