Father hit by police van dies

An investigation was under way after the death of a pedestrian who was hit by a police van answering a call.

Karl Rowbottom, 32, from Hull, was hit a few minutes after midnight on Beverley Road in Hull.

Humberside Police said the van, with two officers, was answering a "call to service" when the accident happened.

The chef, who was father to girls aged eleven, five and four, and a one-year-old boy, had been on a night out with colleagues when the crash happened. He was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary but died a short time later.

Humberside Police said Mr Rowbottom's family were too upset to speak.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) announced it would manage the investigation into the death of Mr Rowbottom.

Nicholas Long, IPCC Commissioner for Yorkshire and Humberside, has decided that an external police force should conduct the inquiry.

"This incident would be a tragedy at any time," he said. "But Mr Rowbottom is the father of four young children and in the week before Christmas it seems to increase that sense of tragedy.

"My sympathies go out, not only to Mr Rowbottom's family and friends, but also to everyone involved in the incident.

A police spokeswoman said: "The area of Beverley Road was immediately cordoned off and a police investigation into the circumstances of the incident was launched." Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash to come forward.