British tourist dies after being electrocuted in India 'while taking photo near construction site'

A former pub landlord who was travelling in India has died after being electrocuted in an accident, authorities in the country have said.

Ivan Brown, who ran one of Norwich's most popular sports bars for nearly four decades, died on Sunday while he taking pictures in a tourist spot, police in India said.

The 71-year-old grabbed a live wire when he lost his balance near a construction site while taking a photo, said his family.

They added that they were still coming to terms with the loss of Mr Brown, a long-time landlord of the Murderers pub.

"We are just all absolutely distraught and heartbroken that we have lost the heart and soul of our family," they told ITV News Anglia.

Mr Brown was visiting the northern state of Himachal Pradesh with a friend, as part of a two-month trip they were taking around the country.

They had been in Dalhousie town in the Chamba district, having arrived in a nearby village last Friday.

They had planned to leave for Dharamshala city on Monday.

Local press said police had spoken to Mr Brown's travelling friend and a taxi driver.

In Norwich, friend Roger Cawdron - also a landlord and the licensee of the Ribs of Beef pub in the city - said that he had spoken to Mr Brown the day before he died.

"We're absolutely devastated and shocked at the news," said Mr Cawdron, 78.

"Ivan was a very good friend of mine . We used to play golf together, go on holidays and he was a really great photographer and he'd always climb somewhere or do something different to get a great photographic shot.

"I'm going to miss him. I really am, going to miss him."

Born in Costessey, Mr Brown's family moved to Lenwade when he was 11 and he went to Reepham Secondary Modern School, according to a local newspaper profile.

After leaving school at 15, he took on a variety of jobs - as a concrete inspector, draughtsman and salesman - before he bought The Murderers and Gardeners Arms in 1984.

From 2003, ownership was split between Mr Brown and Phil Cutter, who took charge of the day-to-day management.

In 2014, Mr Brown celebrated 30 years of being behind the bar at the Norwich pub.

According to The Murderers' website, Mr Brown was a landlord up until earlier this year. The city-centre pub is currently owned by Phil and Sherie Cutter.

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