Mother and children die in icy river car plunge

A MOTHER was "driving like a maniac" before her car veered into an icy river, killing her and her two children.

Kelly Toye, 23, is thought to have been involved in a blazing row with her ex-boyfriend shortly before the crash at the River Lee in Broxbourne, Herts.

Eyewitnesses told how the saloon car turned upside down when it hit the water and was submerged within seconds.

Emergency services dragged her body from the wreckage more than two hours after the crash at 7:50pm on Thursday night.

Ambulance crews fought to save the lives of her son Brandon Clifton, three, and six-year-old daughter Courtney Clark, but they were later both pronounced dead in hospital.

A spokeswoman for Essex Police said they were called to an address in Broxbourne at 7:10pm following reports of a domestic dispute. When officers arrived at the property they found two women and a man involved in a verbal argument, but Ms Toye had already left.

Ms Toye’s ex-boyfriend, Michael Turner, 30, who is Brandon’s biological father, claimed he tried to stop his estranged partner speeding off in her car.

He said: "When she left my house she drove off like a maniac. I drove after her but couldn’t get to her."

By the time he reached the bank of the river Lee he claimed his former girlfriend’s vehicle had all but disappeared.

"All I could see was the back lights of the car in the water. I don’t understand why she drove into the water. All I know is I had broken up with her and she wanted to get back together. But she could not take it when I said no."

He added: "She was driving like a maniac."

A water rescue team from Essex fire service took more than an hour to cut off the doors of the vehicle. Ms Toye was freed first and pulled on to the bank. The two children were then cut from the vehicle and paramedics tried desperately to resuscitate them.

Mr Turner said: "I watched three bodies being dragged out of the water. My kid was in that car. They were two children that will be dearly missed as will their mum by all family and friends. I can’t believe this happened to me right before my eyes, it’s my worst nightmare."

Murray MacGregor, of Essex Ambulance Service, said: "The crews worked very hard in very difficult circumstances.

"Despite a 100 per cent effort from everyone, we could not save their lives."

Eyewitness Terri Hambrook, who lives 100 yards from where the car plunged into the water, said she had seen the car go past at speed on the narrow riverside track.

"It must have been going at about 50mph. I didn’t hear it hit the water," she said.

Another passer-by said that it appeared the car had travelled down a side track which led to the river.

He added: "The track is at the end of the industrial estate and eventually bears right, down to the river.

"Maybe the driver lost control at the corner, but I am not sure why anyone would want to go down this track as it leads to nowhere but the river."

Police cordoned off the area - a popular spot for canal boats and dog-walkers - while a forensic investigation was carried out.