Flood victim was former high sheriff
AWOMAN swept to her death as she tried to escape from her car in flood waters has been identified as a former high sheriff.
Annie Hall’s body was found two hours after she and husband Michael, 77, were taken by a raging torrent of water as floods gripped large parts of Derbyshire on Friday. Her husband survived but it is believed Mrs Hall was carried into a nearby river near Darley Dale.
The successful businesswoman, a former High Sheriff of Derbyshire, was returning home early Friday morning from an event in Derby the night before when tragedy struck.
The couple ran into trouble as they travelled down the A6 to their home in the picturesque Derbyshire Dales village of Ashford-in-the-water.
The road had become flooded in several places, including a stretch through the village of Rowsley.
The exact details of what happened are currently unclear but it appears their car became stuck in a raging torrent of water.
One friend, who asked not to be named, said: “Both Annie and Michael were swept away but she has ended up in the river.
“I hear that he has been in hospital but I’m not sure how he is.”
Coastguards and the emergency services recovered the 69-year-old’s body from the River Derwent two miles away just over two hours later.
The river reached its highestever recorded level late on Friday evening and at one stage threatened to overwhelm flood defences downstream in Derby following a month’s worth of rain across the area in just 24 hours.
The couple were well liked in the area and regular worshippers at the local Holy Trinity Church.
One flower arranger preparing for Remembrance Sunday said:
“Annie and Michael are such lovely people, she will be sadly missed.”
Mrs Hall held the ceremonial position of High Sheriff in 2017.
Derbyshire Police Chief Constable Peter Goodman said: “I am shocked and deeply saddened by the untimely and tragic death of my friend, and former high sheriff,annie Hall.
“Annie was a great leader in Derbyshire in both industry and on the civic front. She will be hugely missed.
“My deepest sympathies go to
Michael and all the family at this time.”
There was no answer yesterday at the family’s £800,000 house overlooking the Riverwye.
No details have been released regarding Mr Hall’s condition.
In a statement last night, Mrs Hall’s family said: “We are in great shock and grieving. Please allow us to mourn privately for the time being.”
Neighbours said they were too distressed to speak about the tragedy.
Mr and Mrs Hall ran a successful business together for 20 years as agents for a French winch company before forming Pickup Holdings, which has interests including a marina and the manufacture of luxury narrowboats.
The couple, who have four children between them, later passed the running of this firm to their son and daughter, David and Joanna.
The couple owned several properties around the country as well as abroad, including a home in Australia, where two of their five grandchildren live.
‘We are in shock and grieving’