Coronation Street crash precedes fan's fatal heart attack

A longtime Coronation Street fan suffered a fatal heart attack while watching a "traumatic" episode of the soap. Photo / Supplied

The creators of Coronation Street have sent their condolences to the family of a longtime fan who died after watching a "traumatic" episode of the soap.

Trevor Murfitt, of Orewa, was watching an episode of the show in which key characters were involved in a minibus crash.

The 81-year-old's widow, Barbara told Fairax the episode had been "traumatic" for the couple.

"Trevor's last words were 'that bus is going to go over the edge'. We were all watching the screen and half a minute later I turned to look at Trevor and he'd collapsed in his favourite chair. We rang the ambulance straight way."

A ITV spokeswoman told the Herald she had not heard of anything like this happening before.

"We were saddened to hear the news of Trevor's death and send our condolences to Barbara and the rest of their family," she said.

Murfitt, who had suffered from numerous health complaints, died the next day in North Shore Hospital surrounded by his family, Fairfax said.