A FATHER died in a car crash on holiday in France with his family, an inquest heard.

Stanley Mackenzie, 55, of Oxford Road, Canvey, died on August 14, 2014, in Normandy.

An inquest into his death at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday found Mr Mackenzie died as a result of the accident.

Mr Mackenzie, his fiancee Anne-Marie Sullivan and their three children were driving in their Jaguar XJS when a car crashed into the driver’s side at a junction in Calvados.

Coroner’s officer Paul Roberts said: “Mr Mackenzie was a passenger in a motor vehicle involved in a road traffic collision with another vehicle. Following the incident, he had a cardiac arrest and later stabilised before having another cardiac arrest.

“A CT scan in hospital found excessive internal bleeding and there was nothing the authorities could do.”

Mr Mackenzie, a site manager for Jaguar Building Services, in London, died later that night.

Area coroner for Essex Eleanor McGann said: “From statements from the French police and from the information available to me my conclusion as to the death is Mr Mackenzie died as a result of an accident.”

Mr Mackenzie’s fiancee Miss Sullivan and their three children suffered cuts and bruises in the crash.

The family were enjoying their annual holiday to France at the time of the accident. The Echo understands Mr Mackenzie’s family are awaiting the outcome of an investigation into the crash by French police.

In the weeks following Mr Mackenzie’s death, relatives described him as a popular man who never blended into the background.

His brother-in-law John Pluck, of Harris Close, Wickford, said: “He was a very generous man and incredibly popular.

“He knew so many people. He was a great Chelsea fan and had a real passion for rugby.

“He was a big guy at 6ft 2ins – you could not miss him. He was a funny man, too and a very popular guy.”