Police car crash pedestrian killed after ‘best day ever’ with family

A pedestrian who died after being hit by a police car on Christmas Day had spent the “best day ever” with his family before the collision, relatives have said.

Tony Carroll, 70, was knocked down on Scotland Road in Liverpool at about 6.50pm on Tuesday.

In a statement, his family said: “Tony was a much loved brother and uncle and will be greatly missed by all his family.

“He was always the life and soul of the party, and he lived life the way he wanted to.

“Tony was much loved by all who knew him for his kindness and generosity in the local community.

“As a very close knit family we spent Christmas Day together and as he left told us all that he had had the best day ever.

“This tragedy has devastated all our family and Tony will be remembered in our hearts forever.”

An investigation has been launched by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after the incident was referred by Merseyside Police.

A spokesman for the police watchdog said: “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, in the Vauxhall area of the city, 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.”

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: “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.”