BBC Employee David Cox Killed in Icy Vehicle Accident

By Vickie Frantz, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer

January 26,2013; 7:25PM,EST

David Cox, 42, was killed when his car skidded off the road and into the River Wye in Derbyshire, England on Thursday morning at about 8:30 a.m. GMT (3:30 a.m. EST).
Cox was driving his 11-year old daughter to school at the time of the accident. His daughter was able to escape the overturned car and swim to the bank of the river. She then ran to a nearby cottage to get help, according to the BBC.
A few minutes after the first crash, Ruth Cox also slid into the river when traveling the same stretch of road with her nine-year old son. Both mother and son were able to escape the vehicle and swim to safety.
The following statement by Ruth Cox was provided by the BBC:
"David was a wonderful loving father, husband, brother and son. He loved living at Blackwell Mill and working for the BBC. I am very proud of our daughter Tess. She held her breath and dived under the water to look for a way out of the car. Tess then swam to the far bank. I am also very proud of our son Ioan. Whilst the car was filling with water he kept calm and attempted to unsuccessfully smash the rear side window. We were both able to get out of the car and onto the river bank. I am very proud of how they ran back down the lane to the cottages to raise the alarm. We were a very happy family and I will do my utmost to make us a happy family again. I would like to thank my wonderful friends and neighbours for all their help and support. I would also like to thank all the rescue services involved."
Emergency responders believe either ice or snow played a part in the crashes.
All four family members where transported to the Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockpot. Mrs. Cox and the children were treated and released, but Mr. Cox later died. Reports say that David Cox may have been trapped in the car for 40 minutes.
Cox had been employed with the BBC in Salford as part of the Future Media team since May 2010.
He led the team who provided news coverage of the summer Olympics in London for the BBC.
Tim Davie, BBC's Acting Director General said, "We are very sad to learn of David's tragic death. He was a popular member of the Future Media team in Salford and had been key to the success of the red button service during the Olympics in the summer. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues here at the BBC at this difficult time." (statement provided by the BBC)