Mr Flower was reading on the beach when the car fell on him

Academic Harvey Flower, 58, from Beckenham, Kent, died when the car fell on to him as he was reading on the beach at Shanklin.

The Rover car was on the town's Esplanade when it struck a Vauxhall Astra parked nearby at just before 1800 BST on Thursday.

It then crashed into a beach hut, before going over the sea wall and falling six feet on to the beach below.

His loss will affect many for a long time. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him as the most loving and wonderful man anyone could hope to meet Gladys Flower

The 59-year-old female car driver, who has not been identified, was injured and taken to St Mary's Hospital.

Mr Flower was a Professor of Material Science at Imperial College London and had been on the island holidaying with his wife, Gladys, when the crash occurred.

In a statement released on behalf of the family, Mrs Flower said: "He was a loving husband and father to daughters Elanor and Gillean and three grandchildren.

"My husband graduated from Christ's College, Cambridge with first class honours and went on to take up a post at Imperial College in 1967.

"Respected world expert"

"He was well-known and loved by all those who worked with him at the college, or were taught by him.

"He passed his knowledge on to many PhD students, who have since taken up post in various parts of the world.

"In his field, he was a respected world expert on Titanium and his knowledge of the subject was sought by academics and scientists around the world."

Inspector Steve Evans said: "On landing on the beach (the car) struck a tourist who was sunbathing on the beach causing serious injuries.