A grieving husband has revealed the tragic final words spoken by his wife before she was swept away by rising flood waters.
Annie Hall, 68, drowned in the early hours of November 8, when their car became stuck in rising flood waters by the River Derwent in Rowsley, Derbyshire.
She was dragged away by the fast-moving waters after she got out of the vehicle to get to safety, reports the Telegraph .
Her devastated husband Michael has now spoken about the ordeal for the first time during a memorial service held at Derby Cathedral on Monday.
"The water was at such a speed you could hardly pick your foot off the floor," Mr Hall, 77, told mourners.
"Sadly, Annie said: 'I'm not sure how much of this I can take'.
"I had hold of her hands but hadn't got the strength to pull her back and she was swept away," he said.
Her body was recovered at around 10.40am after a search by specialist hazard response teams and the coast guard helicopter.
Mrs Hall, of Ashford-in-the-Water in the Peak District, was as a former High Sheriff of Derbyshire, ceremonial role she held since 2017.
Following her death, her family said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we, the family of Annie Hall, report her sudden passing.
“We are in great shock and grieving. Please allow us to mourn privately for the time being.
“We will publish details of the funeral arrangements when they are known.”
Chief Constable Peter Goodman, of Derbyshire Police, struck up a close relationship with Mrs Hall during her tenure as the county's High Sherriff.
He paid tribute to her following her death, saying: "I am shocked and deeply saddened by the untimely and tragic death of my friend, and former High Sheriff, Annie Hall.
“Annie was a great leader in Derbyshire in both industry and on the civic front. She will be hugely missed.
“My deepest sympathies go to Michael and all the family at this time.”
