3 VICTIMS OF FLASH FLOOD.

Byline: MATT BLAKE

THIS is the brother and sister feared dead after an off-duty taxi plunged into a swollen river during a flash flood.

Ryan Martel, 26, and Frankie Chappel, 17, were thought to have been in the car that was swept into a flooded stream in the early hours of Saturday when a bridge collapsed.

Luke Mackin, 20, believed to have been driving the Volvo S70 saloon, died. His body was found 100 yards downstream from the car in Zennor, near St Ives, Cornwall.

Yesterday police found a second body on the nearby beach but would not confirm an identity. A third passenger was officially still missing.

Only Oliver Gardner, 20, scrambled to safety and watched in horror as the car filled with water and the other three were swept down the river.

He then raised the alarm at a neighbouring house, sparking a massive search operation involving the fire service, coastguard, thermal imaging and rescue helicopters.

Floral tributes placed at the scene described Luke as "just lovely". Another said prayers for Ryan and Frankie. Pals of the brother and sister, originally from Guernsey, were in a state of shock. One friend of Ryan - a media student at University College, Falmouth - wrote on Facebook: "Still can't believe it."

Oliver was yesterday recovering from his ordeal at his home near the accident scene.

His dad Steven, 52, said: "This is a very distressing time for everybody. It's a terrible accident that's happened."

Residents described the weather that night as the worst they had ever seen.

Lucy Beaghen, who lives near the bridge, said: "It looks just like Boscastle did."

CAPTION(S):

FEARED DEAD RYAN MARTEL DEAD DRIVER LUKE MACKIN FEARED DEAD SISTER FRANKIE HORROR IN RIVER WRECK OF CAR