GRIEVING relatives of a man killed after being in collision with a reversing car today said they did not blame the driver for his death.A beautiful Sunday afternoon stroll turned into tragedy for the family of Nigel Cotton, 77, who was enjoying a walk along the coast on Ferry Road in Bawdsey when a reversing car collided with him.

GRIEVING relatives of a man killed after being in collision with a reversing car today said they did not blame the driver for his death.

A beautiful Sunday afternoon stroll turned into tragedy for the family of Nigel Cotton, 77, who was enjoying a walk along the coast on Ferry Road in Bawdsey when a reversing car collided with him.

He suffered a fractured skull and broken ankle and was airlifted to Ipswich hospital but died from his injuries on Monday night.

His close-knit family were today still coming to terms with his death.

One of his three daughters, Anne Legg, said: “He was a wonderful dad, completely devoted to his family, and I will miss him so much.

“During the last 10 years he suffered from bowel and mouth cancer but he came through it and showed fortitude.

“He had a great sense of humour which helped in through. It has come as such a shock.”

Her older sister, Sally, said: “We don't know exactly what happened. He was walking behind mum at the time and nobody saw precisely what happened.”

But Mrs Legg stressed that the family did not feel any anger towards the female driver of the blue Mitsubishi Space Runner that was involved in the accident.

She said: “We all make mistakes and we don't feel any bitterness towards her.

“It is desperately sad for everyone involved because of the tragic consequences of what should have been a beautiful Sunday afternoon.”

Mr Cotton's wife of more than 50 years, Isobel, said she felt lost and lonely after losing her best friend.

“We had grown together since we were married and I will miss him so much.

“It is marvellous that we are such a close family because we have got each other for support.”

It is not just his family who will grieve for Mr Cotton who was born in Suffolk and lived for the last 20 years in Lower Ufford.

The chartered surveyor was an extremely active man who served as an Army captain in Palestine in 1945.

He was also chair of the Orwell branch of magistrates, chair of the governors at Amberfield School in Nacton, church warden at St Peter's Church in Charsfield and chair of the Ipswich Building Society.

Mrs Legg, who still lives near Woodbridge with her three children, added: “He will be missed by more people than the family and we will be arranging a funeral soon in Melton Church.”

Anyone who may have seen the accident which happened around 4.15pm on Sunday should contact Pc Daniel Ormes on 01473 613500.