Devastated family pay tribute to great-grandfather, 87, and his wife of 63 years who were killed in horror crash after he suffered a ‘cardiac arrest’ while driving her to hairdressers

• Mike Marsden crashed his car into a wall after having suffered cardiac arrest
• Mr Marsden, 87,  was pronounced dead at the scene despite resuscitation efforts
• His wife, Anne Marsden, also 87, suffered serious injuries and later passed away
• ‘Devastated’ relatives found comfort knowing the couple passed away together

Tributes have been paid to a great-grandfather and his wife of 63 years who were killed in a horror crash after he suffered a suspected cardiac arrest while driving and ploughed their car into a wall.

Former surveyor Mike Marsden, 87, was taking his retired teacher wife Anne to her weekly hair appointment when he crashed their black Ford CMax near Barnsley, South Yorkshire on October 13.

Emergency services were called to the crash and police said they found former surveyor Mr Mardsen ‘in cardiac arrest’. He was pronounced dead at the scene despite the best efforts of medics resuscitate him.

Mrs Mardsen, also 87, suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital by ambulance, but tragically died on Saturday morning, 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’. The family added that while it was shocking to receive such ‘tragic’ news, it brought them some ‘comfort’ that the loving couple had passed away together.

Detectives say they are keen to speak to anyone who witnesses the incident.

Mike and Ann Marsden (pictured) were killed in a horror car crash after Mr Marsden suffered cardiac arrest while driving and ploughed their vehicle into a wall

Emergency services responded to reports of a black Ford CMax car that had collided with a wall on Wakefield Road, Athersely around 10am on October 13, police said.

When officers arrived on scene they found the driver – since identified as Mr Marsden – in cardiac arrest. 

‘Despite the efforts of the emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene,’ a spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said.

‘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.’

In a statement released by police, the Marsden 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.’

Emergency services responded to reports of a black Ford CMax car that had collided with a wall on Wakefield Road, Athersely around 10am on October 13, police said. When officers arrived on scene they found the driver – since identified as Mr Marsden – in cardiac arrest

Mr Marsden was a retired Leeds city council surveyor and 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,’ the family said.

Mrs Marsden was a retired teacher who had previously 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,’ the family shared. ‘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 for 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.’

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