A man has died after being hit by a police car as it responded to an emergency call in Liverpool on Christmas night.
The pedestrian was knocked down on Scotland Road in the Vauxhall area of the city at about 6.50pm.
A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "We can confirm an investigation is currently under way following a fatal road traffic collision in Liverpool.
"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 said the man had been identified and his next of kin had been informed.
The incident has been reported to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which has launched an investigation.
An IOPC spokesman said: "Merseyside Police has referred to us a fatal collision involving a police car and a pedestrian on Scotland Road in Liverpool.
"We have sent investigators to the scene.
"Following a brief assessment, we have decided to carry out an independent investigation.
"On current information, we understand the police car was responding to an emergency call when it collided with the man crossing the road at around 6.50pm."
On Wednesday, Scotland Road had been reopened and police signs appealing for witnesses had been placed near to a pedestrian crossing.
A witness told the Liverpool Echo he saw the police car hit the pedestrian as he was crossing the road.
He said: "Two police officers were trying to hold the man. I offered them a bottle of water in case they needed it but I didn't want to get in their way."
Other witnesses told the Echo that the police car had its blue lights flashing at the time of the collision.
Additional reporting by Press Association.
