by Lewis Dyson and Hayley Robinson

Medics fought to save the life of a man who collapsed outside a town centre pub.

Ambulance crews and police were called to the Globe & Engine, Berry Street, Sittingbourne, at 4.35pm yesterday.

But despite their best efforts, which included CPR, the 46-year-old died at the scene.

It is believed he suffered a cardiac arrest. A post mortem is set to be carried out next week.

Sarah Howells, who works as a controller and driver for Let’s Go Green Cabs, West Street, Sittingbourne, was parked up at the taxi rank behind Wilkinson's at the time of the incident.

The 28-year-old said: "All I saw was a man laid out on the floor and then blue lights and someone trying to resuscitate him. It was heavily congested with people watching what was going on.

"We heard it was Chris Ewell, the tin can man at first. It was all over the internet in the space of an hour. We’ve since found out it wasn’t him, though."

Commenting online, a lady called Tracy said: "How sad. Myself and my nephew were there on the pavement with the gentleman who died.

"We were talking to him and trying to get him to stay with us [but] unfortunately this we now know was in vain.

"His family should know [about] the efforts made by the young lady doing CRP [and] also the man cradling him.

"I myself was holding his hand while talking to him. He did not pass away on his own. Our thoughts are with his family."

Reports on various social media sites that fund raiser Chris Ewell, who collects and sells discarded cans for charity, had died, were incorrect.

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