A man has died after being hit by a car during rush hour yesterday.

Police were called to reports of a car and a pedestrian in collision on Barking Road, East Ham, at about 5.30pm.

The pedestrian, believed to be in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed but formal identification has not yet taken place.

He is believed to have been attempting to cross the road at the time.

Witnesses have said the accident took place at the bus stop outside Newham Town Hall, with the road closed off between High Street South and Wellington Road for several hours.

Suhail Mohammed, who works at Cakes and Bakes opposite where the accident happened, said emergency services were on the scene until around 9.30pm.

He said: “The [car’s] bonnet was all mangled up. I went by afterwards and there were a lot of police officers there.”

A 24-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He remains in custody at an east London police station.

The serious collision investigation unit is looking into the incident, and enquiries continue.

Anyone with information should call the witness appeal line on 020 8597 4874 or police on 101.

• Did you know the victim? Contact the newsdesk by email at newsdesk@newhamrecorder.co.uk or phone 020 8477 3900 to speak to a reporter.