A FORMER police detective sergeant collapsed and died of a heart attack while on a walking holiday in Austria.

Andrew Crossley, 60, served in CID offices in Burnley, Pendle, Haslingden, Blackburn and Clitheroe.

His family have spoken of their shock at the sudden death of the passionate Burnley FC fan and keen golfer.

Wife Janet said their two children — Vikki, 24, and Mark, 22 — were about to join the police in tribute to their father.

Mark is already a PCSO in Brierfield. Mr Crossley died on Wednesday, June 10, in Seefeld near Innsbruck in Austria.

His wife said: “We can’t believe it. I am still expecting him to walk back through the front door.

"He was a healthy man and no-one expected anything like this to happen.

"I spoke to him on Tuesday night and he was happy, relaxed and fine.

"He collapsed in the town near a river and two German tourists found him.

"It was obvious that he suffered a massive heart attack.”

She said that Mr Crossley suffered a minor heart attack 10 years ago but had made a full recovery.

Mr Crossley, who lived with his family in the Barrowford Road area of Nelson, served as a police officer for 31 years after starting as a PC in Pendle.

For the past 10 years he worked for Farley’s law firm in Blackburn, carrying out analysis work in serious fraud and serious crime cases.

Mr Crossley, along with his family, was a fanatic Clarets supporter and all four travelled to Wembley for the play-off final last month.

DI Neil Ashton, head of Blackburn CID, said: “Mr Crossley was a dedicated, diligent and conscientious officer who will be sadly missed.”