A FORMER pub landlord who died after falling from his boat into the River Orwell had suffered a heart attack, a post-mortem examination has found.

A FORMER pub landlord who died after falling from his boat into the River Orwell had suffered a heart attack, a post-mortem examination has found.

Melvyn Shaw's body was found north of the Orwell Bridge at 11.20am on Saturday, just metres from his 26ft yacht The Isle of Pentarchy.

A post-mortem examination was held on Monday which found that the 68-year-old great-grandfather had suffered a heart attack before falling from his yacht into the river.

His wife, Shirley, who has been left devastated by her husband's death, said the outcome of the post-mortem was a relief.

Mrs Shaw, of Grainge Way, Haughley, near Stowmarket said: “There was no water in his lungs so they know that he was dead before he hit the water.

“They do not think that he would have suffered any pain at all. It makes me feel much better knowing that it was not a stupid accident.”

Mr Shaw used to be the landlord of The One Bull in Bury St Edmunds and The Stag Tavern in Stowmarket. Before he suffered his heart attack, he had been preparing to join members of Orwell Yacht Club, where he had been a member for 10 years, at a barbecue.

Following his death, Mrs Shaw said she has received many messages of support which she is extremely grateful for.

She said: “The yacht club has been brilliant and friends and family have been lovely and very comforting. It has been very nice.”

Mr Shaw's body was found by members of Orwell Yacht Club. The Felixstowe Volunteer Coast Patrol Rescue Service rushed to the scene and desperately battled to keep the pensioner alive. He was taken to Fox's Marina in Wherstead but died shortly afterwards.

His funeral will take place on July 2 at 3.45pm at West Suffolk Crematorium, Bury St Edmunds. There is a request for family flowers only, but donations to the Orwell Yacht Club and Rescue Boat can be made at the crematorium on the day.