A Dutchman who had spent 16 days on a cycling holiday around England with his wife died of a heart attack just yards from the ship home.

The 56-year-old man, Hendrikus Baars, fell from his bike on the busy A120 Dovercourt bypass just short of the turn into Parkeston where he and his wife Thea, 53, were due to take a ferry home.

Mrs Baars was cycling with him when the incident happened at about 10.45am last Wednesday.

Police were quickly called to the scene but found passers-by had already come to her aid as she sat beside the body of her husband.

A spokesman for Harwich police praised people who took time to help.

He said: "We had some good samaritans there. They crossed over and helped this woman. They had nearly made it to the port but the gentleman just could not go on.

"It is very sad but it is nice to see that people went to the woman's aid."

The spokesman said two motorists, a DFDS lorry driver and a passing cyclist stopped to help the Dutch woman.

"This was a fast and dangerous stretch of road, the lorry driver placed his vehicle to shield the woman and her husband, they did everything they could."

Mrs Baars was taken to Harwich police station where she was cared for by officers and tourist information officer Gabrielle Bartholomew, who is fluent in Dutch.

She was expected to stay at the station until the couple's son could come across from Holland to help with arrangements.

Mr Baars' body was taken to Clacton Hospital before being transported to Colchester General Hospital. The coroner's officer at Clacton police was informed.

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