Leone and Francesco Nardon were driving into the northern Italian town of Valdagno in Vicenza

A dad and his son have been killed after a sinkhole opened up underneath them in Italy while trying to help rescue people from floods.

Leone and Francesco Nardon were driving into the northern Italian town of Valdagno in Vicenza when the ground beneath them gave way.

The car was then washed into the nearby Agno River.

Leone,64,was found by emergency services on the riverbed of the Agno,while engineering student Francesco,21,was found near the car.

It is believed he had tried to escape the vehicle but became trapped in the rushing water.

Luca Zaia,the President of Veneto,said: ‘It is a tragedy. The loss of these two lives will be remembered.

Leone and Francesco Nardon were driving into the northern Italian town of Valdagno in Vicenza when the ground beneath them gave way (Picture: Vigili del fuoco)

Leone and Francesco Nardon were driving to help with the flood efforts

‘I send my condolences to the family of the two victims.’

Band Cornedo Vicentino,which Francesco played the trumpet in,paid tribute to their member.

They said: ‘Francesco had been with us a little over three years,but since the beginning he had been an example of dedication and generosity.

‘Despite him attending university in Modena,he was never missing practice,our services and concerts whenever he was coming back to Valdagno,showing his huge commitment and love for music.

‘His sense of duty and integrity were rare and precious qualities,particularly nowadays,in a world that often struggles to value these principles.

‘His prescence would leave a positive mark and his example invites us to be better every day.’

Floods have ravaged Northern Italy,with parts of the region palced on red alert following terrential rain.

In the Piedmontese Aosta Valley,26,000 residents were left without power due to the floods.