AN investigation has been launched after a man died during a rush-hour collision with a car near a hospital.

Emergency services were called to Rochdale Old Road at around 5.30pm yesterday evening to reports of a collision between a pedestrian and a car - close to Fairfield General Hospital.

Despite the efforts of paramedics, the 37-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said that the driver of the car remained at the scene to assist officers and no arrests have been made.

Now, an investigation has been launched to establish the full circumstances, and police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with video footage to contact them.

Detective Chief Inspector Kate Atton of GMP's Bury Division said: "This is a tragic incident in which a man has lost his life and we are working hard to establish the circumstances that led to this.

"This happened on a vital road connecting Bury and Rochdale, at one of the busiest times of day. We'd urge anyone who passed through this area with a dash-cam to get in touch with us.

"They could hold vital information that will help us to progress our enquiries."

Rochdale Old Road remained closed off in both directions between Smethhurst Hall Road and Elbut Lane for a number of hours, with a police cordon still in place long after 9pm.

Pictures from the scene showed several police and ambulance vehicles stationed on the road and an air ambulance had also landed nearby.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 4741, quoting incident number 2323 of 18/05/2021.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.