A PENSIONER was killed after being hit by a lorry in Bury town centre.

The man, who was in his 70s, was understood to have been walking down Knowsley Street in the direction of the transport interchange when he was hit shortly before 11am.

Police were called to the scene opposite Bury Town Hall and found the man with serious injuries.

Despite the best efforts of the ambulance service the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
 

Police closed the road at its junction with Angouleme Way to the Knowsley Place car park whilst they carried out their investigation work and buses and traffic were diverted. The road was reopened at 1.30pm.

The lorry, operating for a Fife-based company called Fishers, which offers a laundry service for hotels, was turning right out of a side road on to Knowsley Street when the incident happened. The junction is close to the Premier Inn Hotel. 

An eyewitness said: "There was a bang and then there was screaming."

Police Sergeant Paul Higgins of the GMP Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: "We attended the scene of a collision in Bury town centre and a man who we believe to be in his 70s has tragically died. 

"Our enquiries are still in the very early stages and we are working to identify the man’s family so that we can provide them with support at this difficult time." 

A spokesman for Fishers confirmed that the company was aware one of their vehicles had been involved in a collision in Bury and that police and an ambulance had been called.

"We are not able to comment at this stage," added the spokesman.

No arrests have been made in relation to the accident. 

Anybody with information should contact the GMP Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741.