A PENSIONER has died after being hit by a car in Atherton - sparking a police manhunt.

The 72-year-old man was on a mobility scooter crossing Gloucester Street near the junction with Bag Lane at 10.45am on November 20 when the accident happened.

Witnesses said the man, who has not been named by police, was hit by a blue Nissan Note car that was turning right from Bag Lane into Gloucester Road.

Paramedics were called to the scene and treated the pensioner, who was taken to hospital with serious injuries, but he died on Thursday.

Amanda Bourne, aged 51, who lives in Gloucester Street, just a few yards from the scene of the accident, said: "I had just got in and saw his scooter being carried off and him being taken into the ambulance.

"I don't know how it happened, but it was a really distressing sight. This is the third accident that I've seen in this street in the nine months that I've lived here."

Alison Cooney, aged 42, also of Gloucester Street, said: "It's discgraceful that something like this could happen. I've lived here four years and cars fly up and down this road.

"The fact that it was an elderly man makes it worse - it's terrible. My dad's 70-odd and I wouldn't let him go up and down this street. It's a really busy road."

Police are probing the incident and have appealed for witnesses to get in touch.

Sgt Paul Higgins, from the police's serious collisions investigation unit, said: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with this poor man's family, who are understandably devastated with this tragic loss.

"We are still trying to establish the exact circumstances of what happened so I would like to ask anybody that has any information to please contact the police."

Anyone with information can call police on 0161 8564741 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.