Pedestrian killed in police car accident in Liverpool

Merseyside Police said the man had been identified and his next of kin had been informed

A pedestrian was run over and killed by a police car responding to an emergency call in Liverpool on Christmas night.

The man was knocked down on Scotland Road at about 18:50 GMT and was later pronounced dead in hospital, Merseyside Police said.

The force has reported the collision to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

An IOPC spokesman said investigators had assessed the scene and decided to carry out an independent investigation.

Police are appealing for witnesses

Scotland Road was closed following the accident, which Merseytravel said also prompted the closure of the Bootle-bound sliproad from the Wallasey Tunnel.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "At around 6.50pm a collision occurred between a police vehicle and a male pedestrian on Scotland Road.

"Emergency services attended and the pedestrian was taken to hospital where he was sadly pronounced dead."

The force, which is appealing for witnesses to the accident, said the man had been identified and his next of kin had been informed.