Council's failure to install flood warning signs played role in Queens Drive couple deaths

SENIOR CORONER CRITICISES AUTHORITY'S INACTION

- By DAVID HUMPHREYS

LIVERPOOL Council failed to acknowledge the risk to life at an area known to flood and delayed the installation of warning signs where a couple died, a coroner has concluded.

On the final day of the inquest into the deaths of Elaine and Philip Marco on Queens Drive in August 2023, senior coroner Andre Rebello said the city council did not appreciate the risk of flooding under the bridge in Mossley Hill despite four previous events earlier that year.

The city council's claims an independent investigation it ordered into the repeated flooding was not linked to risk to life fears, was rejected by Mr Rebello as he recorded a conclusion of misadventure.

The coroner said the council's delay in installing warning signs near the dip in the road was considered to be a failure on its part.

Reaching his conclusion, the coroner said the deaths were in part caused by the absence of these signs and a failure to acknowledge risk by the council.