News

Family in lucky escape from Madeira

A PENRHYNCOCH family had a narrow escape while holidaying on Madeira, when horrific flash-floods caused devastation and left more than 40 people dead.

Steve and Margaret Rose, and their four children - Bethan, 12, Thomas 10, Christopher, seven, and two-year-old Eleanor - were on their first visit to the Portuguese island. They had travelled with Steve’s sister and family, from Hertfordshire, in a 12-strong party celebrating Steve’s father’s birthday.

And they were all lucky to escape with their lives as Saturday’s flash-floods brought tonnes of mud and stones down the slopes into the streets of Funchal, the regional capital, leaving a trail of devastation.

More than 40 people are dead, many more were injured, and there are fears that the death toll could yet rise.

• See full story in this week's Aberystwyth edition of the Cambrian News