A PEDESTRIAN who was involved in a collision in Heckmondwike this morning died at the scene, West Yorkshire Police has confirmed.

The man, who was in his 70s, was involved in a collision with a lorry on Market Street in the town centre.

LATEST: Read live updates on the Heckmondwike collision here.

The area has seen similar incidents happen over the course of this year, with this being the third fatal road traffic collision to take place at the junction between Market Street and Westgate in 2020.

Concerned local residents have argued that "something needs to be done" following this morning's news, while police say they are now appealing for witnesses.

A spokesperson from West Yorkshire Police said: "The Major Collision Enquiry Team would like to speak to anyone who saw or has dash cam footage of the incident which took place near to Fulton Foods, Market Place in Heckmondwike, just before 8.30am.

"Police were called at 8.31am by the ambulance service to attend the incident in which a white Volvo lorry had been in collision with a man in his 70s.

"Despite medical attention, the male was confirmed to have died at the scene.

"Road closures were put in place and drivers are urged to avoid the area."

DS Alison Webb, of the Major Collision Enquiry Team, said: “We are conducting a full investigation into the circumstances of this collision which has sadly resulted in the death of a pedestrian.

“I would ask anyone who saw the collision, the white Volvo lorry or the man just prior to the collision, or who has any dash cam footage of what took place, to contact the Major Collision Enquiry Team on 101, referencing police log 329 of 30 September.

“We would urge drivers to bear with us and avoid the area if possible, while our enquiries are ongoing at the scene.”

In July, a man suffered a suspected broken leg after a hit-and-run at the junction between Market Street and Westgate, while a 69-year-old woman lost her life at the same location following a collision with a lorry there in February.

A man in his 80s also died after a collision with a truck on Market Street in January.

Cameron McKinley, owner of the nearby E-Cig & Vape on Market Street, said incidents like the one this morning have happened "five or six times" over the last year.

He claims that there needs to be a "proper" pedestrian crossing in place to make the area safer.

He said: “When I got here, there were the ambulances and police and the area was all cordoned off.

"At the moment, people have to cross Market Street to then cross Westgate. 

“Rather than do that, people are just chancing it. Everyone just crosses where it happened. Something needs to be done.”

“I’ve only been open here a year and incidents like this have happened five or six times now.

“I’d agree that there needs to be a proper pedestrian crossing on that side of the junction, so that there’s a safe place to cross and people don’t risk putting themselves in danger crossing there. 

“It’s really bad what’s happened.”

Steve Davies, owner of Steve & Dave’s Shoe Repairs in Market Street, expressed similar views.

He said: “This is the third time in a year, they need to do something. I know exactly what - there needs to be pedestrian crossings on either side of the Market Street junction across Westgate.

"At the moment, people have to cross Market Street to then cross Westgate. 

“Rather than do that, people are just chancing it. Everyone just crosses where it happened. Something needs to be done.”