Son relives horror of watching his father and two friends drown when their 4x4 was swept into River Esk

A snorkel-adapted Land Rover became a watery tomb for three off-roaders when it was swept off down a river, a coroner has found.

Les Forbes, 70, Scott Thomas Daddy, 28, and Kenneth Patrick Hibbins, 59, all drowned trapped inside.

Less son, Rob Forbes, only survived because his father asked him to stand on a footbridge and take photos of the crossing.

He bravely dived into the fast-flowing and freezing River Esk in a desperate attempt to save his father and two pals.

Meanwhile, the doomed men were trying desperately to escape but the Land Rover Discovery had become a tomb.

Rob Forbes, pictured, only survived because his father asked him to stand on a footbridge and take photos of the crossing

Scott Thomas Daddy (pictured) was described as a loving son, brother, uncle and boyfriend

Leslie Forbes (left), from the East Yorkshire area, and Kenneth Patrick Hibbins (right), known as Patrick, from York, also died

The recovered vehicle being removed from the River Esk near Glaisdale, North Yorkshire

Recording misadventure conclusions, Coroner Jon Heath said: All the diseased were trying to get out but without success.

They could not open the windows because they were electronically operated and would not operate when the engine stopped.

They could not open the doors due to the pressure of the water and could not break the windows.

Accident investigators also found a metal dog cage in the rear would have hampered any attempt to escape out the back.

Tragedy struck at Rake Lane crossing near the village of Glaisdale, on the North York Moors, just three days after last Christmas on December 28 during a festive run by East Riding 4 x 4 Club.

Les, from East Yorkshire, was in the drivers seat with his son Rob, landscape gardener Patrick, from York, and painter and decorator Scott, from Hull, as passengers.

When they reached the ford they decided to cross even though water levels were three and a half foot higher than usual and later described by cops as a torrent.

Rob clung to a ladder above the Land Rovers rear bumper as it was dragged 100m along the river into 9ft deep water.

Up to his chest in water, he struggled to open the doors to free the screaming men, until he was pulled barely conscious to safety by 999 workers.

Northallerton Coroners Court heard the Land Rover was adapted with a snorkel to keep water out the engine.

But as it entered the ford its special chunky off road tyres proved no match for the slippery cobbles below.

The vehicle had to be pulled from the river by a tractor following the tragedy 

The four-by-four would have gone past this sign warning the ford was unsuitable for motor vehicles, locals said

An aerial view of the jeep being pulled from the river after three men were found dead at the scene

Rob Forbes said: Before I knew it, the vehicle was in the water, bonnet down where the engine was heavy.

As the vehicle went down river, it turned backwards. I ran across the bank and went into the river.

Tossing his mobile onto the bank, he grabbed a ladder fixed to the car just above the back bumper and clung on.

He could see his father in the drivers seat with Scott next to him, with his other friend in the rear seat.

Someone on the bank tried to throw out a line but it would not reach.

Mr Forbes continued: I heard Scott shout I will smash a window. I will smash a window.

The water level was just below the back window. Items were bobbing up and down in the vehicle including a Haynes Manual.

I managed to get my hand on the back door and lift the catch.

I managed to get it open about ten inches but it was too heavy and closed again on my hand.

He tried to open it again but it was too heavy. My hands were so cold, he went on.

The car was still not submerged. I could hear someone banging with a fist or boot.

Then the vehicle went down and went so fast I could not stop it. It was pulling me off balance so I had to let go.

My hands were so cold but I could not face leaving the car and letting the lads down. I remember saying I am not leaving. I am not leaving.

I dont know how long I was in the river. I felt like the vehicle was moving but every time I looked up it was in the same place.

I remember the farmer coming out to help with a rope. I was still holding onto the ladder.

He recalled seeing nearby tree stumps and thought he could grab one of them if swept away.

He did not remember much after seeing the emergency services arrive.

He added: I remember thinking Help is here now after seeing the blue lights. I think someone pulled me out then.

He was placed in a fire engine to warm up and his soaking fleece and clothes were removed.

The fire service had arrived to find only the top of the aerial was visible, it was so deep.

The 4x4 vehicle being recovered from the River Esk near Glaisdale after it had been swept away 

Emergency services scrambled to the scene near Glaisdale (pictured) following reports of a serious incident involving a vehicle

It was eventually towed to the river bank by a tractor but snapped in half when they tried to winch it out the water.

Ironically, the doomed mens original route would have avoided the ford but it had to be altered due to flooding.

Eye witness Robert Gibb said: I was the second vehicle in the same convoy as Les and saw him get swept away.

I got out the car and had a look at the ford. I thought it looked a bit dodgy to drive through.

There were white waves breaking over where you actually drove through.

Les was shouting for Rob to take pictures before he drove. Before I could voice my concerns Les started moving forward.

The inquest heard the youngest victim Scott Thomas Daddy was very practical and could ride a bike from the age of three.

He loved camping and sleeping under the stars in his hammock.

He had started out as a painter and decorator, had built up his own business and was well respected by customers.

He was closely involved in scouting and had a passion for green laning despite having to sell his own 4 by 4 to fund the purchase of his and his girlfriends first home.

Les Forbes drew up the route for the East Riding 4. X 4 Club New Year Christmas Run and it was double checked by club colleague Ian Robinson.

Mr Robinson, in a separate convoy, had also approached the Rake Lane crossing but turned back after a warning message from another driver: Should we be doing this?.

He did not actually see the crossing until he received a garbled message that a vehicle had left the road.

When he saw the water level marker board by the side of the ford he said: I did not believe the depth it was showing.