Published Date: 03.06.2005

A 29-year-old man has died after he was hit by a Police Land Rover early this morning on the Upper Springfield Road in west Belfast.

The accident happened shortly after one o'clock on the Springfield Road near its junction with Avoca Close.

It's understood the police Land Rover had been responding to an emergency call when it hit a pedestrian. Police officers gave the man first aid but he died at the scene.

All instances where a police officer may have been involved in a person's death are automatically referred to the Police Ombudsman's Office for investigation.
A Police Ombudsman team was on the scene shortly after the accident and has remained there all morning.

A spokesman said the Police Ombudsman has mounted an independent, impartial investigation to establish the circumstances of what happened. He said the investigation would be evidence based:

""We have forensic scientists and scenes of crime officers at the location. The area has been video and photographed and any exhibits have been removed. The police vehicle has also been removed for
"We have spoken to the police officers who were in the Land Rover and have appointed a Family Liaison Officer to support the man's family, who are very upset at what has happened."

The Police Ombudsman's Office has asked anyone who saw what happened to contact them. They also want to hear from anyone who has information about the man's movements earlier in the night or has any other information about the incident. The telephone number is 028 90 828627.

The Police Ombudsman investigator leading the investigation will be available for a short statement at Police Ombudsman headquarters (11 Church Street, off Donegall Street)