NEIGHBOURS have paid tribute to a "kind" man who was tragically killed after his dog dragged him into the path of a car.

Hsi Li, of Vienna Close in Dovercourt was out walking his pet dog, described as like a pug, on Monday evening when he was struck by a car.

The incident happened in Hall Lane between 7pm and 8pm, where it is believed his dog bolted into the road, dragged him behind.

Hsi, known to friends and neighbours as Michael, managed to walk home after injuring his head, but felt increasingly unwell and collapsed only a few hours later.

The 67-year-old was taken by ambulance to Colchester General Hospital where he sadly died.

An East of England Ambulance spokesperson said: “We didn’t get called to the initial collision.

“We were called at 9.40pm to an address off Low Road to a report of a man who collapsed.

“A community first responder and two ambulance crews attended to one patient who was unconscious but breathing with signs of a head injury.

“He was taken to Colchester General hospital.”

Mr Li leaves a wife, Christine and son Philip, who were too upset to speak about the tragic news.

One neighbouring couple said: “We heard last night from Christine.

“It is terrible news. She told us and she was understandably distraught.

"They are so kind and she is just devastated."

Another woman, who lived in a neighbouring street said Michael would take the dog out for a walk “religiously” in the morning and in the evening.

A woman, who lived nearby and knew the family, said: “It really is such a big shock, we haven’t got a bad thing to say about them they were lovely.”

Another couple said although the family kept “themselves to themselves”, they would often see the man walking the dog.

“We never had any bother from them, if all neighbours were like that it would be nice,” they said.

The driver of the car which struck Mr Li had initially only exchanged details with him after the collision, but came forward following a police appeal.

Any witnesses of the incident is asked to contact police on 101.