Retired Leeds City Council worker and wife of 63 years died in horror crash after he suffered a cardiac arrest

Mike Marsden, 87, was taking his wife Anne, to her weekly 10am hair appointment in their black Ford CMax on October 13 near Barnsley at the time of the incident.

Emergency services were called to the single-vehicle crash and police said they found former surveyor Mike “in cardiac arrest”.

He was pronounced dead at the scene despite the best efforts of medics to resuscitate him.

Retired teacher Anne suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital by ambulance, but tragically died on Saturday morning (October 22), police said.

Their “devastated” relatives described the pair - who had been married for 63 years and had four grandchildren - as “immensely proud of all their family”.

And they said while it was shocking to receive such “tragic” news but that it brought them some “comfort” that the loving couple had passed away together.

In a statement released by police, the family said: “Mike and Anne were family orientated and were immensely proud of all their family, but their friends were also a huge part of their lives, many of whom they’d spent a lifetime with.

"They had been married for 63 years and had two children, four grandchildren and a great-granddaughter, who they adored.

"Mike was a retired surveyor for Leeds City Council and he was an accomplished pianist and a keen golfer.

“He remained a member of Silkstone golf club despite not being able to play over the last few years.

"Anne was a retired teacher who worked at Littleworth infants’ school in Lundwood for over 30 years.

"She was a gentle person and was described as lovely by friends, family, and pupils.

“Anne was a keen artist and continued to attend art classes up to the day before the accident.

"She always took pride in her clothes and appearance and still went regularly to get her nails and hair done. She was travelling to her usual 10am Thursday hair appointment [when] the accident happened.

They added: "As a family we are devastated to have lost them both in such a tragic way but are glad they are together and we don’t think Anne would have coped without Mike, so it brings us comfort during this difficult time.

"We would like to thank members of the public who helped following the accident, the emergency services and the Northern General hospital who were all amazing.

"We would also like to thank those who have sent messages of condolence, we appreciate it."

A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said: "On Thursday 13 October at 10am emergency services responded to reports of a black Ford CMax car that had collided with a wall on Wakefield Road, Athersely.

"Upon officers’ arrival, the driver, an 87-year-old man was found in cardiac arrest and despite the efforts of the emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

"His passenger, an 87-year-old woman suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital by ambulance, but she sadly died last Saturday morning.

"The couple have been formally named as Mike and Anne Marsden."

Detectives are keen to speak to witnesses.