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Location: Scotland
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 19,298
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Man & Dog drown in ford
Did anyone else here this on the news? (it happened a couple of days ago I believe). I just read today that it is believed that the poor man who drowned was attempting to rescue the pet dog - very sad.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/we...s-a-judge.html
Judge Gammon, who worked in mental health, died alongside his pet dog Gabby after his Toyota Yaris was overcome by water, flipped over and sank at Headley, near Newbury, Hants.
He is survived by his 55-year-old wife Priscilla, who had been driving the car. She managed to open the door and swim to safety as it was swept 200 yards downstream by the current.
It is believed they could have been following directions from the satellite navigation system, which took them into the dangerous ford.
His wife, who was described as in "deep shock" but otherwise uninjured following the incident, was being comforted on Tuesday night at the couple's terraced house in Teddington, west London.
Judge Gammon's parents, Kenneth, 86, and Margaret, 90, were also being comforted by their parish priest at their detached home on the outskirts of Woking, Surrey. All were too distressed to comment.
It is understood Mrs Gammon, a nurse, had been driving her husband to a tribunal at Thornford Park Hospital, Berks, because of the bad weather when the accident happened.
Their three-year-old black, working cocker-spaniel was also killed. Friends told The Daily Telegraph that the couple were "very attached" and considered her as part of their family.
"I think everybody who knew them was attached to Gabby, as they certainly were," said one friend, who declined to be named. On Tuesday night, neighbours described the couple as very "socially concious".
They volunteered for "Crisis at Christmas" and moved into the street a decade ago, proving to be very popular throughout the neighbourhood.
They also were members of the Landmark Trust and stayed in the organisation's historic properties around the world.
Judge Gammon, a classical and "world" music fan as well as a "top rate" photographer, was very interested in making a difference in mental health, they said.
"He was an absolute first class man, hard working, diligent, very contentious but also just really nice," said one.
"What else can you say? It is so desperately sad and your heart just goes out to Priscilla. We are so sorry about this absolutely tragic accident.
"They were very good personal friends and friends with just about everyone in the street. Everybody really enjoyed his company."