'Loss of parents on flooded road shattered our world'

Elaine and Philip Marco drowned on Queens Drive in Liverpool in 2023

The children of a couple who drowned when their car became submerged on a flooded road have told an inquest the grief had "shattered our world".

Elaine and Philip Marco had been returning from their son's 40th birthday party on 26 August 2023 when they drove into a dip in the road under a railway bridge in Mossley Hill, Liverpool.

An investigation concluded that a sewer had been unable to cope with a heavy deluge of rain along the stretch of road on Queens Drive.

Their daughter Sarah Weinberg, who travelled to Gerard Majella Courthouse from her home in Australia, said: "Their absence is a wound that does not heal. The emotional toll is ongoing, relentless, and life-altering."

After the deaths of Elaine, 75, and Philip, 77, who ran a catering business, it emerged four previous incidents had occurred in 2023 where cars were submerged under the bridge.

On two of the occasions, people who were trapped had to be rescued by emergency services although no-one had been injured.

Liverpool City Council and United Utilities are expected to give evidence at the inquest, due to conclude later this week.

Elaine and Philip Marco's son spoke about the trauma of driving along the road since his parents' death

Earlier the court heard pen portraits of the two victims, who died a few days before their 54th wedding anniversary.

Joshua Marco, who celebrated his birthday with his parents on the day of their deaths, said "the trauma is ever-present".

"We still live in the same area and regularly have to drive the route they took that night," he said.

"We see the road where the accident happened. When it rains or the road floods, we are brought straight back to the moment everything changed."

'Unconditional love'

Mrs Weinberg said she and her siblings had been raised in a home that "overflowed with warmth and unconditional love".

She said she had spoken to them for an hour on a video-call on the day of their deaths and said they were "overjoyed" when she told them she and her family were planning to visit the UK for the December holidays.

On that call Philip Marco discussed going to watch Liverpool at Anfield with his youngest grandson, who he lovingly called "my mate".

Mrs Weinberg said: "After we hung up, I said to my husband, 'my parents look so good, I have years left with them'.

"How wrong I was."

After the deaths of the couple, new sensors, warning lights and barriers were installed at the road.

The inquest continues.