Police name three men who died after 4×4 was ‘swept away’ at River Esk crossing
Three men who died after the 4×4 vehicle they were travelling in was swept away after it attempted to cross a river crossing have been named by police.
The vehicle became submerged in the River Esk near Glaisdale shortly before midday on Thursday.
Scott Thomas Daddy, 28, from Hull, Leslie Forbes, 70, from the East Yorkshire area, and Kenneth Patrick Hibbins, 59, known as Patrick, from York, were later found dead inside the vehicle.
Chris Ford, who lives nearby, said he was called to the scene to help recover the vehicle with his tractor and discovered it fully submerged beneath the water.
He said the men were part of an off-roading group who got into difficulty after they attempted to cross a ford on Rake Lane.
Mr Ford said they were ‘swept away’ because the river was swollen by heavy rain – and it carried them around 400 yards downstream.
Police were at the scene on Friday where the 4×4 was removed by four other vehicles – including Mr Ford’s tractor using tethers.
Mr Daddy’s family said in a statement he had a “bright future” but was “taken suddenly doing something he enjoyed”.
They described him as a “loving son, brother, uncle, and boyfriend” who enjoyed 4x4s, green laning – an activity similar to off-roading – and outdoor activities.
Mr Forbes was “a loving husband, father and grandfather, who will be sadly missed by his family and friends”, his family said.
Mr Hibbins “will be sadly missed by all his close friends and work colleagues”, his family said.
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: “We ask that you respect the families’ privacy at this extremely difficult time, and allow them time to grieve.”
Additional reporting by Press Association.
