Euromillions jackpot winner who rescued police officer days before win killed in suspected hit-and-run
A EuroMillions winner who helped save a policeman’s life by performing CPR on a bus during lockdown has died following a collision in Essex.
Anthony Canty, 39, a father of two, was knocked off his bicycle on Maldon Road in Tiptree at approximately 6:30am on Thursday, 21 May. He was rushed to hospital but passed away four days later, on 25 May. Essex Police are treating the incident as a suspected hit-and-run. An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while unfit through drink or drugs, and failing to stop. He remains under investigation as enquiries continue.
Mr Canty first came to public attention in April 2020 when he saved the life of a police officer who had suffered a heart attack while riding a bus. The officer had just finished his shift, and Mr Canty was heading home from his own job as a water quality engineer during the Covid lockdown. “We were just on our way home one evening, just talking and he just dropped down… in my lap,” Mr Canty later recalled. Using first aid training he had received at work, he rang the bell to stop the bus and began CPR, guided by a 999 operator. The officer was airlifted to hospital and spent five days in intensive care. Mr Canty stayed in touch with the officer’s partner while he was in hospital, dropping off fruit and flowers, and continued to keep in contact after the officer recovered.
Only weeks after that act of heroism, on 5 May 2020, Mr Canty won £1m on the EuroMillions. He told the officer about the win, and the officer replied: “Good karma happens to good people.” At the time, Mr Canty said he would not give up his job — he was proud of maintaining water quality for hospitals and care homes — but he planned to spend his winnings on a new house and a trip to Disneyland for his daughters. At the time of his death he was working for a local building materials supplier.
Tributes have been paid on social media, with many describing Mr Canty as a “true gentleman” and a “lovely man”. Lynne Beckham-Briggs, sister of David Beckham, posted on Facebook: “Another good one taken too soon! Anthony Canty you will be truly missed! Such a lovely man.”
Police appeal
Officers are appealing for anyone who saw or has footage of a black Ford KA car being driven in the Tiptree area around the time of the collision to come forward. “If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us,” the force said. “Please quote 174 of 21 May.”
