Cancun is a popular holiday resort

Melissa Lerner, 29, was walking on a beach at Playa del Carmen near the resort of Cancun with her husband Damon when she was struck.

Mr Lerner, also 29, an accountant from Edgware, London, was knocked unconscious and awoke to find people trying to revive his bride, The Times reported.

He said he thought he was saved because he was wearing flip-flops on the beach.

I don't know whether it's fate, destiny or what it was Damon Lerner

His wife, a primary school teacher, was pronounced dead at a local medical centre - just nine days after their wedding.

Mr Lerner told The Times: "I was holding her and told her I was there with her, but I knew that really she had gone. I could see the life draining away from her.

"I don't know whether it's fate, destiny or what it was. There were so many reasons why we shouldn't have been at that spot that day."

He flew back to Britain on Thursday and his wife's body is expected to be flown back in time for the funeral next week.

A British Embassy spokesman in Mexico City confirmed the death.