A FORMER March man died after both his car and his wife’s car skidded off the road and plunged into an icy Derbyshire river as they drove their children to school.

David Cox, 42, was trapped in his vehicle, but his 11-year-old daughter managed to escape from the blue Toyota Aygo.

Mr Cox’s wife Ruth and their nine-year-old son Ioan also managed to escape from their overturned vehicle in the River Wye near Buxton, which had come to rest within feet of Mr Cox’s car.

Mrs Cox and a neighbour frantically tried to free Mr Cox, but it was 40 minutes before he was taken to the river bank. He died later at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport.

Mr Cox was born in March, but moved to Peterborough while still at primary school. He is the son of March man Roy Cox and his ex-wife Elizabeth Gilby.

He worked for the BBC as part of the Future Media team in Salford, and his job entailed coverage of the London Olympics, for the corporation’s red button service.

Acting BBC director general Tim Davie paid tribute to Mr Cox. He 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.”

Roux Joubert, BBC head of TV and mobile platforms, said: “David was an important member of the team and played a central role in the department.

“He will be sorely missed by everyone here and our thoughts are with his family at this time.”

An investigation into the accident has been launched by Derbyshire police.