AN investigation has been launched after a 37-year-old man died when he was hit by a car as he worked in a manhole.

Denis McBride of Stanmore Road, Glasgow, died in hospital shortly after the horror accident in Airdrie on Saturday.

Mr McBride had been working in the High Street in the town.

Witnesses reported that the manhole he was working in was not cordoned off.

He was hit by a car close to an Aldi supermarket car park.

One eyewitness said: "I was crossing through the car park when I saw it happen.

"A car went past me - it wasn't going more than 5mph. You could have walked quicker.

"I thought his tyre had hit the manhole lid.

"But then I saw his car was on top of a man.

"There was blood everywhere. The road wasn't cordoned off where he was working.

"The male driver was in complete shock.

"It's terrible how something like this could happen."

Another bystander added: "It's shocking what happened - he was just a young man.

"I can't believe they didn't put any tape around the area where he was working."

Police said Mr McBride was struck by a white Peugeot 3008, at about 10.35am on Saturday.

Emergency services attended and Mr McBride was rushed by ambulance to Monklands District Hospital where he later died.

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said: "We are aware of the death and we are making preliminary inquiries."

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: "Mr McBride had been working at High Street, Airdrie, when he was struck by the car.

"The driver was extremely distressed and received treatment from paramedics at the scene.

"If anyone has any information, please contact Road Policing Officers at Motherwell on 101."

ewan.fergus@ eveningtimes.co.uk