Couple die in separate falls from buildings

Four children have been orphaned after both their parents died in separate falls several days apart on a family holiday in Morocco.

Roger and Mathilde Lamb were on holiday with their four sons in the tourist resort of Essaouira on Morocco’s Atlantic coast when they died in separate incidents.

A spokeswoman at the British Embassy in Rabat confirmed reports that Mrs Lamb, known as Tilly, had fallen from an apartment in Essaouira, while her husband died after a fall at a different building a few days later.

Yesterday, Mrs Lamb’s brother-in-law Mark Rogerson said the couple’s four sons, aged between nine and 16, are back in the UK being looked after by relatives.

Speaking from his home in France, Mr Rogerson said they knew very few details about what happened, but heard about Mrs Lamb’s death on Thursday, 18 August after she apparently fell the previous night. They then heard about Mr Lamb’s death on Monday.

In a statement released on behalf of the family, Mr Rogerson said: “Our principal concern at the moment is to provide love and support to their four sons who have had to suffer the loss of both a mother and a father in swift succession.”

Mr Lamb’s LinkedIn profile, which describes him as an “experienced geotechnical engineer”, says he worked in New Zealand for engineering, architecture and environmental consulting company GHD.

The Rev Terry Henderson, rector for Great Comberton in Worcestershire, where Mrs Lamb’s elderly mother lives, paid tribute to the couple.

He said they were very much part of the community through their children’s school, Elmley Castle Church of England School.