A lottery winner who once saved a policeman’s life and then won £1 million has died in a suspected hit-and-run in Essex. Anthony Canty, 39, was cycling in Maldon Road, Tiptree, on the morning of 21 May 2026 when he was struck by a black Ford Ka. He died in hospital four days later. 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.
Canty, from Maldon, won £1 million in a EuroMillions draw in May 2020. That win came just weeks after he saved the life of a police officer who collapsed on a bus. Canty gave the officer CPR and stayed in touch with his partner while he was in hospital. At the time, Canty said he would not give up his day job as a water supply worker, though he planned to take time off to take his daughters to Disneyland when travel restrictions eased.
“The story of Anthony Canty, a EuroMillions winner who died in a suspected hit-and-run”
The collision happened around 6.30am in Tiptree, Essex. Police said the driver of the black Ford Ka allegedly fled the scene. Canty was taken to hospital in a serious condition and died on 25 May. The arrested man remains under investigation, and Essex Police are appealing for anyone who saw or has footage of the car being driven in the area around the time of the incident.
This tragic story highlights the sudden and unpredictable nature of life after a lottery win – a reminder that money cannot shield anyone from unexpected events. For UK readers, it also underscores the vulnerability of cyclists on the road and the serious consequences of hit-and-run collisions.
Q: Who was Anthony Canty? Anthony Canty was a 39-year-old water supply worker from Maldon, Essex. He won £1 million on the EuroMillions in May 2020, weeks after performing CPR on a police officer who collapsed on a bus, saving his life.
Q: What happened in the hit-and-run? On the morning of 21 May 2026, Canty was cycling in Maldon Road, Tiptree when he was hit by a black Ford Ka. He was taken to hospital with serious injuries and died four days later.
Q: Has anyone been arrested? Yes, an 18-year-old man was initially 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 police enquiries continue.
Police are asking anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage to contact Essex Police online or via Crimestoppers. The suspect’s legal status will depend on the outcome of the investigation.