By JAMES TOZER

Last updated at 01:10 02 May 2008

The man knocked down on a pelican crossing by a BMW driven by boxer Amir Khan has died at the age of 57.

Geoffrey Hatton's widow Moyra said yesterday that he had been "a broken man" following the accident two years ago in which he suffered a badly broken leg.

Unable to return to work as a result of his injuries, the former foundry worker spiralled into depression and had to sell his home.

Mrs Hatton, 72, said she was convinced her husband would still be alive today had it not been for the accident.

Married for 30 years, she added: "My husband never recovered from the crash, physically or mentally.

"Geoff was a really happy-go-lucky person before the accident. But it changed him. He became depressed and got worse each month. He had worked all his life then he was told he wouldn't work again."

In the wake of these problems, he turned to drink, said Mrs Hatton.

Mr Hatton was crossing a road in Bolton town centre on March 2, 2006, when Khan's £65,000 BMW 645 convertible swerved past a queue of cars which had stopped for a red light and ploughed into him.

His right leg was detached from his hip and he had to have a metal rod inserted in his leg. He could walk only with the aid of a stick.

A trial last year heard that Khan had been driving at up to 47mph in the moments before he hit Mr Hatton. Khan was cleared of dangerous driving but convicted of driving without due care and attention, fined £1,000 and banned from driving for six months.

Khan, 21, was given a second ban a few weeks later after a court heard he had driven along a motorway at up to 140mph, nine months after hitting Mr Hatton.

Geoffrey Hatton: He did not work again after the accident in 2006

At the time of the trial, Mr Hatton, from Farnworth, near Bolton, said: "I've not been able to work since and I feel like a broken man.

"I shouldn't have to be missing out on things in life and scrimp and save because of something he did which affected my life."

He was engaged in a battle with Khan's insurers to recover lost earnings and had received an interim payment of £40,000.

He collapsed at home on Saturday. His wife called an ambulance but doctors could not save him. He had suffered a gastrointestinal bleed.

Khan became a national celebrity during the 2004 Olympics when aged 17 he won a silver medal in the lightweight division.

A spokesman for Khan said he was "shocked and saddened" by Mr Hatton's death and that he sent his condolences to his family. He has since sold the BMW.