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UK heatwave: Postman, 47, dies after collapsing on his round in 27C heat

Graham Bennett collapsed on the street as he made deliveries in Lincoln on Monday, when temperatures had reached almost 27 degrees.

A postman has died after collapsing while delivering mail in heatwave temperatures.

Graham Bennett collapsed in the street as he made deliveries in Lincoln on Monday, when temperatures had reached almost 27 degrees.

The postman, who had worked for Royal Mail in Lincoln for 29 years, was half-way through his round when he collapsed at 11.30am.

Mr Bennett, 47, is thought to have suffered a suspected heart attack.

He was taken to hospital but he died a short time later.

Just two weeks ago, rugby fan Graham posed in British Lions team shirts with his wife Fiona at the 2nd Test in Melbourne.

A spokesman for the Met Office confirmed temperatures rose to 26.9C at the highest point in Lincoln on Monday.

Hourly figures show the thermometer rose from 21.3C to 23C between 11am and midday on one of the hottest days of the year.

Graham's stepdaughter Stacie Vine said a passer-by tried to resuscitate him, but the circumstances of what happened were still unclear.


[Met Office raises heatwave alerts]


Writing on Facebook, she said: 'We appreciate the messages of condolence posted.'

Paying tribute to the postman, colleague Lee Marshall wrote: 'Will miss you Graham, it was a pleasure to work alongside you in my time at RM, your passing leaves our office in shock and we are still struggling to comprehend everything that's gone on :(. R.I.P my friend.'


Another friend, Chris Gooding added: 'sleep tight my friend I will always remember are (sic) last chat together about the british lions, i hope your rugby stories are going down well with the big man upstairs..R I P Graham.'

A spokesman for Royal Mail spokesman said: 'Royal Mail confirms that one of our colleagues at the Lincoln Delivery Office died this week while out delivering the mail.

'Our thoughts are very much with his family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time.'

A spokeswoman for Lincolnshire Police confirmed they received a call from the ambulance service at 11.30am on Monday about a postman in cardiac arrest in a public place.

But the force didn't investigate the death once it emerged Graham had died of natural causes.

The exact circumstances of Mr Bennett's death - and the influence of the hot weather - are still being investigated.

The hot weather is estimated to have claimed the lives of several hundred people in the past nine days, scientists believe.

Researchers estimate that the heatwave has led to 650 deaths in England between July 6 and 14 as the soaring temperatures show no sign of abating.

Ben Armstrong, professor in epidemiological statistics at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said that the hot weather could have led to the premature deaths of between 540 and 760 people.

Prof Armstrong created the mortality statistics by using temperatures supplied by the Met Office and comparing it with studies he has conducted during previous heatwaves in Britain.

Health officials have advised people to stay cool, drink lots of cold fluids and keep an eye on those they know to be at risk.