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The tragic events that unfolded on August 26, 2023, began with a family celebration but ended in a devastating loss. Elaine and Philip Marco had gathered with their children to celebrate their son Joshua’s 40th birthday. They were even on FaceTime with their daughter Sarah, who lives in Australia, making plans for her Christmas visit to the UK. Sarah's son was looking forward to a trip to Anfield with his grandad to watch Liverpool FC. Simon, one of their sons, had reassuringly told his 77-year-old dad he had "at least 10 years left." Little did they know, within hours, the couple, who were just a week away from their 54th wedding anniversary, would lose their lives on a journey they had made countless times before.
The Marcos were well-known in their community, having founded Marcos Catering in 1990 with their son Simon, specializing in kosher events across the north of England before retiring. Their history was interwoven with deep roots; both met volunteering in Israel after the Six-Day War in 1967 and later settled in Liverpool during the 1980s after living in London. They were beloved by many, and their sudden deaths left the family and community in shock, grappling with the unbearable task of planning autopsies and funerals instead of celebrating a lifetime of love.
Queens Drive, where the tragic flood occurred, had been plagued by a series of heavy rainfalls throughout the summer of 2023. The road’s unique structure, situated almost 8 meters below ground level beneath Briardale Road and railway bridges, created a natural basin that allowed water to pool dangerously. The Victorian sewer system struggled under repeated downpours in May, June, and July, causing water to surge into the street, forcing drivers to abandon their cars and prompting emergency rescues. Despite these incidents, Liverpool Council had not installed any warning signs or barriers alerting drivers to the flood risk.
Internal discussions within the council did take place after the third flood in July, prompting an external report commissioned by Laura Gilmore, the council’s principal flooding engineer. However, officials underestimated the risk to life, believing the likelihood of severe flooding was low. On that fateful night, Philip and Elaine Marco drove into standing water on Queens Drive. The water overwhelmed their car’s engine, leaving them stranded as the floodwaters rose rapidly. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with rain pouring down like a waterfall and water levels reaching up to 15 feet in places.
Simon’s father tried desperately to call for emergency assistance, but the relentless rain and rising water made the situation dire. Eyewitness taxi driver Mahmoud Ahmed saw a man in the water carrying someone else but couldn’t communicate with him due to the noise of the rain. Another passerby, Zoe Taker, attempted to help someone waving in distress, but the flood’s force was overwhelming. Emergency services eventually reached the couple after the water subsided around 10:15 to 10:30 pm, but sadly Elaine Marco was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital, followed by Philip approximately 30 minutes later.
In the months following the tragedy, Liverpool Council faced intense scrutiny. Andy Bithell, who took over as head of highways management in January 2024, acknowledged it was only after the deaths that serious action was taken to install proper signage. Coroner Andre Rebello criticized the council for its failure to appreciate the life-threatening risk posed by the flooding on Queens Drive, pointing to nearly a century of neglect in warning drivers. The Marco family described the loss of their parents as completely avoidable, emphasizing the warmth and love Elaine and Philip had brought to their community. Their deaths exposed critical shortcomings in flood risk management, leaving a lasting void in their lives and a somber warning for the future.
