CORONATION Street fans have been left in tears following PC Craig Tinker’s passing.

The loveable policeman died in hospital in sad scenes after being brutally murdered by Mick during a botched arrest.

Craig had attempted to arrest drunk driver Mick but after turning his back for a moment, Mick was able to grab hold of a baseball bat in his van and club Craig over the head and left him to die in the road.

Having been raced to hospital, his family and friends and long-standing colleague PC Jess watched on as he succumbed to his injuries and passed away.

Craig’s death comes after actor Colson Smith was axed from the show as part of on-going cost-cutting measures at the soap and ITV.

As Craig drew his final breaths, PC Jess was among one of the last people to speak to him as she made a surprise return to the soap.

She mentored Craig during his early policing years but has not been seen on-screen for many years.

PC Jess stood with Asha, Maria and Kirk before Craig suffered a seizure which ultimately led to doctors performing CPR.

Sadly, their efforts were unsuccessful and the four were left stunned as they caw Craig die in front of their eyes.

The heartbreaking death scenes left fans in tears as they were left broken over the copper’s on-screen passing.

Taking to X – formerly Twitter – to share their thoughts, one viewer shared alongside a string of tearful emoji’s: “Some scenes don’t just move you, they stay with you. That was today.”

Another penned: “Craig’s cruel demise. RIP darl.”

A third then said: “We’ve literally watched Craig grow up on our screens, now we’ve just gotta say goodbye to him?? forever???? nah this is sick.”

A fourth admitted they were in tears as they said: “What a sad ending even though I knew it was coming yes I did cry !

“Going to miss Craig RIP Pc Tinker and fantastic acting from @colsonsmith and @realsamia.”

Before someone else wrote: “Now I’m crying. We’re gonna miss you, Craigey.”

It marks the end of actor Colson Smith’s 14 years on the cobbles.

The Sun exclusively revealed how his character was being killed off.

A source told us: “Craig has grown up on the street and he’s become part of it so it was a tough decision to make but one that will be worth it.

“PC Tinker will meet his maker in heroic circumstances this summer and there won’t be a dry eye in the house when it goes out.

“Colson is taking it well and there’s a real feeling that this chapter is closing for him and there are bigger and brighter things ahead.”

The star marked his soap exit with a wild, booze-fuelled leaving bash.

The police themed party paid homage to his character PC Tinker and featured fancy dress, balloons and police tape at the tapas bar and restaurant El Gato Negro Tapas in Manchester.

Many of Colson’s Corrie co-stars attended full of smiles including Andy Whyment, Brooke Vincent, Georgia Taylor, Lucy Fallon, Jacobs Roberts, Tony Maudsley and Sam Aston.