The friends and families of three men who died in a fatal 4x4 incident in the River Esk near Glaisdale in North Yorkshire have paid tribute to them following their tragic deaths yesterday (December 28).

Police have identified the men as Scott Thomas Daddy, 28, from Hull; Leslie Forbes, 70, from the East Yorkshire area and Kenneth Patrick Hibbins (known as Patrick), 59, from York.

The three were travelling in the vehicle when it was quickly "swept away" by the water when they attempted to cross a ford on Rake Lane.

Police, ambulance and the fire service attended the scene just before 12pm on Thursday, where pictures later showed the vehicle being removed from the water.

Scott's family have offered a heartbreaking tribute to their "loving son".

The Northern Echo: Scott Thomas Daddy.Scott Thomas Daddy. (Image: North Yorkshire Police)

"Scott was a loving son, brother, uncle and boyfriend," they said.

"Always helping others, 4x4, green laning, scouting and outdoor activities, passionate Hull FC supporter and a big circle of friends.

"He was taken suddenly doing something he enjoyed, but too early. He had a big future ahead of him. He will always be missed by his loving family."

The family of Leslie Forbes added a touching tribute, stating that he will be "sadly missed" by friends and loved ones.

The Northern Echo: Leslie Forbes.Leslie Forbes. (Image: Pic supplied)

They said: "Leslie was a loving husband, father and grandfather, who will be sadly missed by his family and friends."

The loved ones of Kenneth Patrick Hibbins said he will be "sadly missed by all his close friends and work colleagues."

The Northern Echo: Kenneth Patrick Hibbins.Kenneth Patrick Hibbins. (Image: Pic supplied)

Earlier, the vehicle was removed from the river, as flowers were laid on the bank in tribute to three men .

Chris Ford, who lives nearby, told the PA news agency the men were part of an off-roading group when they crossed the ford.

The river, swollen by heavy rain, swept them away and carried them around 400 yards downstream, he said. It came as Storm Gerrit caused flooding and travel chaos across the country throughout Wednesday and Thursday.

Mr Ford, a firewood salesman, was called to the scene to help recover the vehicle with his tractor and found it fully submerged beneath the water, he said. He and two others used tractors to pull the 4×4 on to the riverbank.

The Northern Echo: The recovered vehicle being removed from the River Esk near Glaisdale, North Yorkshire, after three men, trapped in a submerged 4x4 vehicle, were swept away as they attempted to cross the river.The recovered vehicle being removed from the River Esk near Glaisdale, North Yorkshire, after three men, trapped in a submerged 4x4 vehicle, were swept away as they attempted to cross the river. (Image: PA)

Police said another man, who attempted to help those trapped in the car, was pulled from the river and needed medical treatment.

Mr Ford told PA: “There was a ford they were going over and they were swept down 400 yards. They were part of an off-road club.

“I went down with my tractor. There was a couple of vehicles – one parked up.

“You couldn’t see the (other) vehicle. It was 3ft beneath the water.

“I helped get it out on to the riverbank with three other tractors.”

The Northern Echo: The recovered vehicle being removed from the River Esk near Glaisdale, North Yorkshire, after three men, trapped in a submerged 4x4 vehicle, were swept away as they attempted to cross the river.The recovered vehicle being removed from the River Esk near Glaisdale, North Yorkshire, after three men, trapped in a submerged 4x4 vehicle, were swept away as they attempted to cross the river. (Image: PA)

Two other locals, Rosie and Andrew Dale, said they were with Mr Ford when he got the call to help.

They said they saw several 4×4 vehicles pass their home in the direction of the ford shortly before the incident.

Mrs Dale said “nobody local” would attempt to cross the ford in the current conditions.

Most read:

Get more content including the stories that matter to your community from The Northern Echo for just £4 for 4 months for a limited time only here.

The Northern Echo: The recovered vehicle being removed from the River Esk near Glaisdale, North Yorkshire, after three men, trapped in a submerged 4x4 vehicle, were swept away as they attempted to cross the river.The recovered vehicle being removed from the River Esk near Glaisdale, North Yorkshire, after three men, trapped in a submerged 4x4 vehicle, were swept away as they attempted to cross the river. (Image: PA)

The area is popular with 4×4 drivers, she said, adding: “In the summer you get 10 of them at a time.”

Witnesses to the incident at Glaisdale are urged to call North Yorkshire Police on 101, option 4, quoting reference NYP-28122023-0146.