February 27, 2020 4.51 pm This story is over 49 months old

Heartbroken family praise valiant rescue attempts after crash which killed loved father and daughter

A touching tribute from the family
India Plaice and her father Daniel.

The family of the father and daughter who were killed in a river crash in Chapel St Leonards said their lives have “been shattered forever at such a tragic loss”.

India Plaice, 21, and dad Daniel Plaice, 52, were named as the victims of the fatal incident on Monday, February 24. Tributes continue to be left in their memory.

Members of the public and emergency services had attempted to save the two casualties when a white Fiat Punto plunged into the water on Sea Road, near to the primary school.

India Plaice with her father Daniel.

The family have now released a tribute to India and Daniel: “Danny was the best father ever to India and Ralf, and was the deeply loved husband of Maria. India was the most beautiful, funny and vibrant sister and daughter.

“Our lives have been shattered forever at such a tragic loss.

“We would like to thank all the members of the public and emergency services for such a valiant effort in the rescue attempts for Danny and India.

“This was a tragic loss of a wonderful father and daughter, who were both lovely and highly thought of. Thank you to everyone and once again, we ask privacy to grieve.”

India Plaice (pictured) and her father Danny died after a collision in Chapel St Leonards. Photo: Facebook

Seascape Cafe NSO, where India worked, closed on Tuesday as staff dealt with the tragic loss and they have since issued their own tribute to her.

Photo: ‘Seascape Cafe – NSO’ Facebook page.

The cafe has since said that India and Danny’s family would like to personally thank the members of the public and all involved in helping at the scene of the incident, saying “showing their gratitude would give them a little more peace at this difficult time”.

They asked if those people could come forward to Seascape via a private message or by emailing [email protected]

Photo: John Aron

Police have identified a possible witness to the collision and are trying to trace a small black car, which resembles a BMW X1, that was in the area at the time.

The force has emphasised that investigators are not suggesting the vehicle was involved or contributed to the crash.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage should contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 or via email at [email protected], quoting incident 263 of February 24.