First picture of National Trust worker killed along with partner after car plunged 100ft into Highland loch
Rose Bassett, 48, was travelling in a car with partner Ross McCrimmon, 43, when tragedy struck around 3.45pm on Monday
THIS is the tragic National Trust worker who died along with her partner after a car plunged 100ft down an embankment into a Highland loch.
Rose Bassett, 48, was travelling with Ross McCrimmon, 43, when their motor left the road on Monday.
It is understood the couple, from Poolewe, Wester Ross, were returning from a trip to see Ross’s parents in neighbouring Ullapool when the accident happened around 3.45pm.
A major rescue operation was launched at Little Loch Broom after the alarm was raised by fish farm workers, but the pair could not be saved.
A crane was brought in by 999 teams to to winch the mangled wreckage of their motor from the icy waters.
Rose worked in visitor services at the National Trust for Scotland's Inverewe Garden in Poolewe, while Ross served as a gardener.
And the village of Poolewe, which has a population of just 230 people, were said to be "stunned" today by the tragedy.
James Conniff, 22, a barman at the Poolewe Hotel, said: "People are just stunned - it's a small community and everybody knows everybody.
"It really is a tragic thing. They have both been in the bar regularly over the years - they always seemed happy.
"Everybody is just trying to take it in. It is so sad all round."
It is believed Ross had been driving at the time of the accident.
Mr Conniff added: "I'm told that the car was going fast and it clipped the inside of the bend and then spun out of control. They had left their dog behind in the house."
Local Highland Councillor Derek MacLeod also paid tribute to the couple, who locals say had been together for around 20 years.
He said: “People are pretty stunned by what has happened - it is almost bizarre. Ross and Rose were well thought of locally. I knew Rose to see at the garden.
"They were not local to the area but had been here a few years. Our sympathies are with their families.
"Workers on a nearby fish farm saw their vehicle enter the sea. It is a terrible tragedy.