Former Fleet Street editor killed in Benidorm road accident

FORMER Sunday Express editor Brian Hitchen and his wife Nelli have been killed after being hit by a car in Altea.

The couple were run over while crossing the road near their holiday house in Altea, near Benidorm.

Brian Hitchen, 77, was rushed to Marina Baixa Hospital in VillaJoyosa, where he was put into a medically induced coma following emergency surgery on his leg and shoulder. Despite the treatment he died later on Monday.

His wife Nelli Hitchen was killed at the scene.

Hitchen, former editor of The Daily Star and Sunday Express, was widely respected across Fleet Street for his sharp news sense and warm personality.

A spokeswoman for Northern and Shell, the Daily Express and Daily Star’s parent company, said, “Brian was taken to a hospital in a very grave condition and doctors were not able to save him.

“Nelli very sadly died at the scene. Our thoughts are with their family at this time.”