Tragic car plunge couple who died after their car rolled backwards into a Devon lake
Barry Froggatt and Barbara Lavery have been pictured for the first time
AN elderly couple who drowned after accidentally reversing off a cliff while trying to park have been pictured for the first time.
Barry Froggatt and Barbara Lavery died after their car plunged 20ft into Hooe Lake in Plymouth, Devon.
Despite the efforts of a brave ex-soldier, who dived into freezing water to try and save them, the pair were killed when their Peugeot plunged backwards 20ft into an estuary and overturned, trapping them upside down.
Mr Froggart's family said: "Barry, known as 'Rusty' to friends and family was a loving dad, grandad and friend to many, who was always full of life.
"With his knack for story telling he was most definitely a laugh a minute.
We would like to thank everybody who was involved in trying to save both Rusty and Barbara.
Mr Froggart's family
"Rusty will be sadly missed by many and our hearts go out to Barbara's family at this difficult time… he loved her to bits.
"We would like to thank everybody who was involved in trying to save both Rusty and Barbara.
"We cannot thank you enough for your brave attempts."
Corageous Paul Brain, 45, stripped down and swam out to reach the pair when he witnessed the terrifying incident.
After trying desperately to free the couple alone, the ex-soldier was then able to help police drag them out.
Sadly the couple were pronounced dead shortly after they were airlifted to hospital following the tragic incident on August 25.
Hero Paul, who was in the army for 22 years, says he wishes he had done more to try and save the pair.
He said: “I looked out the window of her studio and saw the car. I heard a nurse screaming for help. I stripped off to my boxers and didn’t even think about it.
“I couldn’t get deep enough to get to the front of the car.
“I couldn’t open any doors and I tried to smash the windows. I didn’t realise how deep it was.”
A cop arrived on the scene and around ten minutes later was able to free the couple with the help of Paul, who was a sergeant with the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers.
He said: “He was fitter and healthier than me – I managed to get down but couldn’t open the windows.
“The doors were either locked or held shut. He [the policeman] managed to get down and get the guy out the window. I wish there was more I could have done.”
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