Wroxham deaths: ‘We’re all affected by things like this’

Police, fire and rescue, and the coastguard at the boat on Wroxham Island on the River Bure where two people and a dog have died. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2016)

It was a tragedy which cast a shadow on what was otherwise an idyllic summer's day on the Norfolk Broads.

John Halford, chairman of Wroxham Parish Council, had been on a boat in the area just hours before emergency services arrived.

Hr Halford said he heard sirens in the afternoon and described the news of the deaths as 'dreadful'.

Mr Halford said everybody in the area felt the effects of the tragedy.

Police, fire and rescue, and the coastguard at the boat on Wroxham Island on the River Bure where two people and a dog have died. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2016)

He said: 'It's a shock and let's hope we find out what happened.

'It's dreadful and a dreadful thing to happen at this time of the year and in a community like this.

'We're all affected by things like this.'

Mr Halford said sympathies were with the relatives of those involved in the tragedy.

Tom Garrod, a Norfolk county councillor for Wroxham, said the unexpected deaths had sent shock waves through the community.

Mr Garrod said: 'It's a cliché but you don't expect it to happen on your own doorstep.

'I'm in shock and the community is in shock.

'I've spoken to a couple of people on the way home.

'People are talking about it and are just saying they can't believe it's happened.'

Wendy Timewell, owner of Hotel Wroxham which overlooks the River Bure, said she was just 'staggered and shocked' to hear about what had happened.

She said: 'We're really shocked and hope they get to the bottom of it quickly.

'Luckily we don't hear of these things very often; it's a very safe place to come and a really beautiful place to come. I'm just shocked.'

Mrs Timewell said she felt for the family of those involved in the tragedy.