A man has died after being hit by a van on a busy bypass.
The 58-year-old was struck as he walked along the A96 Forres bypass, at Bogtown Road.
Emergency services were called to the scene, between the Forres Mechanics ground and Kinloss roundabout junction, at about 7.20am.
The man was taken to Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin, but could not be saved.
The driver of the white and green Iveco van was not injured.
Police closed off the scene, near the Christie Elite nursery, until late afternoon while collision investigators got to work.
Last night, local councillor George Alexander said his thoughts were with the dead man’s family.
He described it as a “dangerous” stretch of road, and said it was the second fatality at almost exactly the same spot.
Michael Campbell, 15, died after being hit by a van in 2002 after leaving his job at Christie Elite nursery.
Mr Alexander said: “This is a great tragedy and my thoughts go out to his family and friends.
“It is not the first time there has been a death at that same scene as a number of years ago a young schoolboy was killed by a vehicle there.
“It is a fast bit of road and it is hard to judge how fast traffic is going there.”
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead added: “This is a horrible tragedy and my thoughts go out to the victim’s family, friends and loved ones.
“Clearly it is too early to know the causes of an accident such as this but I’d be keen to find out from the authorities in due course if there is anything that should be taken forward as a result of this tragic accident.”
Sergeant Rob Warnock, from the roads division, appealed for witnesses to come forward.
He said: “Our thoughts are with this man’s family at this very sad time.
“We have already spoken to a number of people in relation to this tragic incident however I would still urge anyone who either saw the van or the pedestrian prior to the collision or saw what happened to get in touch by calling the police on 101.”
