Lottery winner killed in suspected hit-and-run after £1m win

A 34-year-old man who won £1 million in the Euromillions lottery last month was killed in a suspected hit-and-run on Monday night in South London, police confirmed today. John Mercer, a former warehouse worker from Croydon, had just collected his winnings when he was struck while crossing a quiet residential street near his home.

Mercer’s death has sent shockwaves through the local community, where he was known for his generosity. Just days before his win, he had stopped a violent assault on a Metropolitan Police officer outside a pub in Balham, according to witnesses and police reports. The officer, who was off-duty, later thanked Mercer in a statement, calling him a "hero."

Witnesses described the scene as chaotic. A 22-year-old pedestrian, who asked not to be named, said: "I heard a screech of tyres, then a thud. The car didn’t stop—it just sped off. People ran out, but it was too late."

Forensic teams are examining the scene, and detectives are appealing for dashcam footage from drivers in the area. Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Whitmore of the Metropolitan Police said: "This was a deliberate act. Someone saw John Mercer and chose to drive toward him. We need to identify that vehicle and the driver urgently."

The Metropolitan Police have increased patrols in South London and are liaising with the National Crime Agency over potential links to organised crime. Mercer’s family, who asked for privacy, released a statement through their solicitor: "John was a kind, selfless man who never expected anything in return for his actions. This was not an accident—it was an act of cowardice."

Mercer’s Euromillions win has drawn attention to the risks faced by lottery winners. Security experts warn that sudden wealth can make individuals targets, and Mercer’s case highlights the need for caution. His story has sparked public outrage, with vigils planned in Croydon and Balham this week to honour his memory.