A popular Suffolk man suffered a massive heart attack before his mini tractor toppled into a garden pond, doctors have established.

Rick Clements, 61, had been clearing scrub from around the pond at his home on the outskirts of Wattisham earlier this month when the tragedy happened.Neighbours, including farmer David Cooper, rushed to help and eventually six people managed to lift the machine that was almost submerged in order for Mr Clements to be pulled free.

Now it has emerged Mr Clements had died from a heart attack before he went into the water.

The tragedy shocked the peaceful village of Wattisham where he lived for more than 20 years with his wife Kate and family.

After his death, Kate said: “Rick was loving, caring husband, father and grandfather who was also a very sociable and amusing man – his loss will leave a huge hole in lots of lives. He cared a great deal for the village and was always prepared to help out.”

The couple who between them have a son and daughter from previous marriages and three grand-children, had been together for more than 20 years.

Mr Clements, a retired senior manager at PPG in Stowmarket, was a stalwart of the community and has been described as tireless helper – he was a trustee of the charitable group that runs the village’s redundant St Nicholas’ Church as a social centre.