Retired teacher dies in Shropshire flooding

A 66-year-old man who died after being swept away by flood water as storms lashed Shropshire was a retired deputy headteacher and leading former scout master.

Mike Ellis, who served schools, scouts and the guides, was returning to his home in Bitterley, near Ludlow, following a doctor's appointment when the tragedy happened yesterday at about 10.30am.

It is understood that Mr Ellis had abandoned his car to avoid flood-hit roads about half a mile from his home and as he crossed a field he was swept away by a swollen stream.

Rescuers from West Mercia Police, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Severn Area Rescue Association had all attempted to rescue Mr Ellis after the alarm was raised but they were unable to save him.

Mr Ellis's wife Judy, 68, today paid tribute to her 'wonderful' husband who she said 'was truly my other half'.

She said her husband had been head of Maths and then deputy head at Ludlow School, and he had also taught at Sundorne School, in Shrewsbury.

He was also a former scout leader in Cleobury Mortimer and county treasurer for Girl Guiding Shropshire.

Mrs Ellis said: "He was a gentle caring man, quiet and quite shy, with a quick wit and a wonderful sense of humour, and the most wonderful husband.

"He was truly my other half and I don't know how I can be without him."

She added: "We married in 1973. At the time we were both teaching in Sandhurst, and he was leading Scouts and I was a Guide Leader, so it was natural for us to work together.

"He set challenging activities for my guides at camp, and this continued after we moved to Shropshire.

"He supported me in everything I did, encouraging me to take a bigger part in International Guiding and accompanying me on visits to Cyprus, Kenya and Canada with guiding.

"After he retired he became county treasurer for Girlguiding Shropshire, and also acted as webmaster for the county guiding website. He was an official photographer for the county on many events both within and outside Shropshire, and Guiding will miss him."

Tributes have today poured in for Mr Ellis, who had also taught at Wombourne School in Staffordshire and Sandhurst School, Berkshire, where he was head of Maths.

Phil Poulton, headteacher at Ludlow CE School, said Mr Ellis, who retired about 12 years ago, would be sorely missed by all who knew him.

He said: "Michael was always viewed as a conscientious, hardworking and professional school leader, who had the best interests of the students at the forefront of his mind.

"Many of the staff that worked for Michael when he was a deputy headteacher at Ludlow School are still here now, and are saddened and shocked at this tragic news. Our condolences go out to his family, and we know that we are speaking on behalf of the staff and pupils that Michael worked with, and for, when we say that he will be sorely missed."

Henry Chance, chairman of Bitterley Parish Council, said: "Our thoughts at this time are with the family and close friends of Mike. I trust the community will be able to provide any support which is required."

Ludlow MP Philip Dunne said: "I received a call from the secretary of state for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Caroline Spellman, who has asked me to pass on condolences to Mr Ellis's family having heard about what happened."

Clare Shinton, assistant county commissioner of Girlguiding Shropshire, added: "Mike was a loyal supporter of Girlguiding Shropshire and will be sadly missed. Our thoughts at this time are with Judy."

In other parts of the county, torrential downpours wreaked havoc, leaving many roads under water, homes flooded and five people trapped in their cars. A number of roads were closed, including the A454 Bridgnorth to Wolverhampton road, and part of it remained closed today.

Two schools, Bitterley Primary and Worfield Primary, closed early yesterday but were open as normal today. Flash floods also hit Bridgnorth and Albrighton.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said a total of 50 firefighters and officers were involved in operations around the county, with off-duty personnel being called in.

Shropshire Fire Service Incident Commander Shaun Baker and local farmer and county councillor Richard Huffer pay tribute to Mike Ellis, who died in flooding in Bitterley, near Ludlow, yesterday.

Leave your tributes for Mike Ellis in the comments below. Discussion of the incident will not be published.

See also:

• Tributes paid to Shropshire flood death man

• Shropshire struck by floods – As it happened

• Man dies in Shropshire flooding