Couple Die In ‘Tragic Accident’ In River In Erddig

Police were called at 5:08pm last night to Erddig by a member of the public who had found the body of a young woman, named locally as Alicia Williams, in the Clywedog river in Erddig towards the Felin Puleston entrance.

A second body , of a 25 year old man, has also been found this morning, with police now confirming it was the couple.

Locally it is reported that the second body is that of Alicias boyfriend David Platt. Concern with friends and family grew overnight to his whereabouts, with the tragic news confirmed early this morning.

Police, ambulance and helicopter were sighted around Erddig yesterday evening, and police have confirmed that they along with North Wales Fire and Rescue attended the scene.

Police have confirmed a body of a 25 year old from wrexham area was sadly found on a sandbank in the river.

The death is currently being treated as unexplained and the coroner has been informed.

Police request anyone with information please contact them by dialling 101.

It is believed she ended up in the river while trying to rescue a dog.

An eyewitness who was one of the first on scene told us “she was lying in the shallow part of the river, it looked like she had been taken by the current” and said “my thoughts go to the family at this sad time”.

Local dog walking company ‘woof walkies’ were in Erddig earlier today and took this picture of the river, saying the “rivers all burst their banks & flowing really fast. Very dangerous and was getting worse.”

Twenty volunteers from the North East Wales Search and Rescue (NEWSAR) team turned out last night to search the river and surrounding water meadow after being called in by police.

After a number of hours of searching one party of NEWSAR team members discovered a body. Members of the party then secured the site while we awaited the arrival of Police Officers.

NEWSAR said “The team wishes to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of both of the deceased.”

11:50am Press Conference
North Wales Police’s Mark Pierce has just held a live press conference, carried on news channels, at the scene saying that the deaths are not being treated as suspicious, refering to the possiblity of a “tragic accident”.

He went on to say “we believe the couple were here with dogs, and the river was in flood”.

It was confirmed that there is “no missing child”, and that the five dogs the couple were walking have all been accounted for.

North Wales Police are still appealing for witnesses, and anyone with any information is urged to call 101.

We have kindly been sent the title picture by Dr Ashley Darby, of the river itself earlier in the day yesterday.

Further Police Update
The two bodies recovered from the River Clywedog at Erddig, Wrexham last night have been formally identified.

They have been named as Alicia Marie Williams, 25 of Ruabon and David Christopher Platt 25, also of Ruabon near Wrexham.

The body of Ms Williams was discovered just after 5pm yesterday and the body of Mr Platt man was found around midnight after a major search involving the Fire and Rescue Service and the North East Wales Rescue service.

The deaths are not being treated as suspicious. However, the circumstances surrounding the incident are still being investigated.

DS Eleri Thomas said; “We would appeal for anyone with information to contact North Wales Police on 101. We would also ask that the privacy of both families is respected at this traumatic time. “

(Initially published 6:52pm updated since).