See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy ELIZABETH HAIGH, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 15:26 BST, 5 June 2026 | Updated: 15:51 BST, 5 June 2026
A EuroMillions winner who saved a police officer's life on a bus before winning the jackpot has died after being knocked off his bike in a 'hit and run'.Anthony Canty, 39, gave the officer CPR after he had a heart attack in April 2020. The following month the father-of-two scooped the £1 million prize on the lottery with his wife, Katie. But he has now died following the collision in Tiptree, Essex, which saw him knocked off his bike by a car at around 6.30am on May 21.Mr Canty was rushed to hospital but died four days later.After the collision on Maldon Road, the driver is said to have fled the scene before later returning. An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while unfit through drink and drugs, and failing to stop at the scene.Essex Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the collision, or anyone who saw a black Ford KA being driven in the area at the time to get in touch. Anthony Canty, 39, has died six years after winning £1 million with his wife Katie Mr Canty was hit while on his bike and rushed to hospital, but died four days laterA local shopkeeper told the Sun the car hit Mr Canty from behind and a passerby gave him CPR until emergency services arrived. 'It shouldn't happen to anyone, but he was a lovely, family man. It's very sad,' the said.'He was well known around here, he grew up around this area.'Tributes have poured in for Mr Canty, who was working for a building firm at the time of his death. One friend described him as 'one of the nicest, genuine and true gents I have ever had the pleasure of knowing'. She added: 'Ant you was a fighter to the end and died a Legend that won’t be forgotten'.A second said: 'Ever since you was a young boy you always had such a beaming cheeky smile, your mood always brightened up a room, you was such a likeable person and I would never hear one person say a bad word about you!'Absolutely speechless what has happened to you life is so unfair. My heart goes out to your beautiful family at this terrible time.'Mr Canty once saved the life of a police officer while on the bus home from work in April 2020.The officer had a heart attack, and Mr Canty leapt into action, ringing the bell to alert the driver to stop and performing CPR with the help of a 999 operator. The officer was airlifted to hospital and spent five days in intensive care, but made a full recovery. He later thanked Mr Canty and told him 'good karma happens to good people'. A spokesperson for Essex Police said: 'Detectives continuing to investigate a serious collision involving a vehicle and a bicycle in Tiptree can confirm a man has sadly since died in hospital.'Officers would still particularly like to hear from anyone who saw or has footage of a black Ford KA being driven in the area around the time of the collision that morning.'If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us. Please quote 174 of 21 May.'This is a breaking news story and is being updated.
