An organist collapsed and died during a funeral service in Colchester.
Mourners were left shocked as they realised the man had been unexpectedly taken seriously ill as they attended the funeral of John Hamblin, a friend of the organist.
Colchester GP Dr Laurel Spooner, who was attending the service, rushed to try to help the man, but it is thought he died almost instantly as he took part in the service at the Roman Catholic church of St Teresa of Lisieux in Clairmont Road, yesterday
A loud noise alerted everyone to what had happened as the service was about to end.
Today, Monsignor Arthur Barrow paid tribute to the man who he said had been an important part of the congregation who regularly attended the church and played the organ.
"It is a terrible shock and one we have not really come to terms with yet because it has only just happened.
"His family is devastated. We are all very upset about it," he added.
He said despite having been ill, the organist's sudden death was very unexpected.
"He was a very well-known person and he had been here for a long time and did a lot of work among the people of Lexden," he added.
Mr Barrow said everyone had done all they could to comfort the man's wife who was also at the service.
"It was an awful thing to happen, let alone at someone else's funeral," he added.
Published Friday November 15, 2002
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