Euromillions winner who saved police officer's life days before jackpot win is killed in 'hit and run'

Police are appealing for information after a 'hero' Euromillions winner died after being knocked off his bike and killed in a suspected 'hit and run'.

Anthony Canty, 39, made headlines back in 2021 when he saved a police officer’s life by giving him CPR after he collapsed from a heart attack on a bus.

Following Canty's efforts, the officer survived and was airlifted to hospital, where he spent five days in intensive care.

A month later, the Good Samaritan landed a whopping £1million win on the Euromillions lottery.

At the time, he thought he initially won £100,000 until his wife, Katie, checked the numbers: “I called Katie to tell her the good news but she wouldn’t believe me and thought I was winding her up, so I gave her the numbers to check for herself.

The lottery winner had saved a police officer's life weeks before, but has sadly been killed in a collision (PA)

“I heard her log on and then she started screaming and said, ‘You div, it’s one million, we’re millionaires, you have to come home!”

The police officer said at the time, 'good karma happens to good people'.

Tragically, Canty has now been killed following the collision in Essex, on May 21, when he was cycling to work early in the morning.

The driver fled the scene of the crash, but later returned.

Canty was taken to hospital, but sadly died four days later.

According to The Sun, 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', and he remains under investigation.

A local source told the outlet: “This is a busy road and it’s a horrendous junction… I think the car hit Anthony from behind, the bike went forward, he went up and came down on the windscreen.”

"The driver drove off but he came back later," he added.

A passerby tried to save Anthony by giving him CPR.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash (Getty Stock)

The source added: “It shouldn’t happen to anyone, but he was a lovely, family man. It’s very sad, he was well known around here, he grew up around this area."

Tributes on social media called Canty 'one of the nicest, genuine and true gents I have ever had the pleasure of knowing', while another added: "Absolutely speechless what has happened to you – life is so unfair.”

Essex Police have issued an appeal: “Detectives continuing to investigate a serious collision involving a vehicle and bicycle in Tiptree can confirm a man has sadly since died in hospital.

“Officers were first called to the collision, in Maldon Road, at 6.30am on Thursday 21 May.

“The cyclist, a man in his 30s, was taken to hospital by ambulance in a serious condition.

“Despite the best efforts of all involved in his care, he sadly died on 25th of May 2026.”

Essex Police are seeking any witnesses, or anyone with footage on a dash or doorbell camera of a black Ford KA in the area around the time of the collision.

The spokesman added: “If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

The investigation continues.