Millionaire former High Sheriff died in raging waters
THE woman who died after being swept away in raging floods was a former High Sheriff of Derbyshire.
Millionaire businesswoman Annie Hall, 69, and her husband Michael, 77, were driving home in the early hours of Friday when their car became stuck in rising floodwaters.
They had been returning to their £800,000 home from an event in Derby when they became trapped on a flooded stretch of A6 carriageway near Rowsley. Devastated friends in the scenic Peak District village of Ashfordin-the-Water said the couple desperately fought to survive as their car was carried away by the rising waters.
One said: ‘Their car couldn’t get through. I don’t know what happened next, but it seems they have both tried to get out of the car.
‘Both Annie and Michael were swept away, but sadly she has ended up in the river. I hear that he has been in hospital, but I’m not sure how he is.’
After a month’s worth of rain fell across the area in just 24 hours, the River Derwent was 6ft higher than its normal levels by late on Friday evening, and at one stage threatened to overwhelm flood defences downstream in Derby.
Rescuers using drones found Mrs Hall’s body two miles downstream at Darley Dale on Friday morning.
Mrs Hall had two children from a previous marriage, and married Michael in 2002.
She was a well-known businesswoman in Derbyshire who did a lot of charity work.
She was chairwoman of Derby Cathedral Council and a regular worshipper at her local church, Holy Trinity.
Mrs Hall served as High Sheriff of Derbyshire, a ceremonial role appointed by the Queen, in 2017.
Mid-Derbyshire MP Pauline Latham said: ‘She was a great champion of our county and will be sorely missed.’
Derbyshire 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 of the family at this time.’
There was no answer at the Halls’ large detached home, built into a former quarry, which has stunning views of the surrounding meadows and the winding River Wye.
The couple have four children between them, and owned several properties around the country as well as abroad, including a home in Australia, where two of their five grandchildren live.
Mrs Hall’s other hobbies included walking in Derbyshire and tending her garden.
In a statement, Mrs Hall’s family said: ‘It is with great sadness that we, the family of Annie Hall, report her sudden passing.
‘We are in great shock and grieving. Please allow us to mourn privately.’
‘A great leader who will be hugely missed’