EuroMillions winner suffered brain injury in crash

News imagePA Media Anthony Canty is wearing a navy quarter zip jumper. He has dark hair and is holding a large cheque for £1m outdoors. Also holding the cheque, and a small black dog, is his partner, Katie Sullivan. She has long dark hair. Both are smiling.PA Media
Police are treating Anthony Canty's death as a suspected hit-and-run

A EuroMillions winner suffered a fatal traumatic brain injury when he was knocked off his bicycle, a coroner said.

Anthony Canty, 39, died in hospital four days after the suspected hit-and-run at 06:30 BST in Tiptree, Essex, on 21 May.

The 18-year-old driver of a Ford KA was arrested in connection with the collision and remained under investigation by police.

Area coroner Michelle Brown suspended the inquest in Chelmsford for four months so detectives could continue their inquiries.

Father-of-two Canty, from Tiptree, made headlines when he scooped the £1m EuroMillions jackpot in May 2020.

Just days before, he had saved the life of a police officer who collapsed on a bus.

News imageLewis Adams/BBC A red sign at the entrance to Essex Coroner's Court. The sign reads "HM Coroner's Service". Brick steps lead to a revolving door.Lewis Adams/BBC
Canty was cycling towards Great Totham when he was struck, Essex Coroner's Court heard

Canty was riding his bicycle along Maldon Road, close to the junction with Braxted Park Road and Grove Park Road towards Great Totham, when he was struck by the car.

"He was involved in a collision with a motor car travelling in the same direction," said Brown, opening his inquest at Essex Coroner's Court.

"Emergency services were called to the scene and he was taken to the Royal London Hospital."

Canty was pronounced dead at 18:11 on 25 May, the court heard.

Brown said his provisional cause of death was craniocervical disassociation and a traumatic brain injury.

Essex Police said the Ford driver was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while unfit through drink or drugs and failing to stop.

"The man has been released under investigation whilst we continue our inquiries," a spokeswoman added.

Canty netted the huge lottery prize with his partner, Katie Sullivan, on 5 May 2020, days after his Good Samaritan deed.

Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? Contact us below.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.