THE driver of a police car which hit and killed a pensioner in Chingford yesterday has temporarily been taken off driving duties for the force.

The announcement comes after Saturday's crash, in which a 72-year-old pedestrain was knocked down in the Ridgeway shortly after 1pm.

Police say the car, a marked Vauxhall Astra, was attending an emergency call.

The man was rushed to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, but was pronounced dead nearly four hours later.

Police made the announcement as the Independent Police Complaints Comission (IPCC) are expected to refer the case back to the Met to investigate.

A police spokesman said they would not hold the man's post mortem until Tuesday or Wednesday, and that he will probably not be formally identified until then.

However officers have said they believe they known who the pensioner is, and his family have been informed.

Yesterday it was announced that the Met Police Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) would investigate and that the IPCC had been informed.

A spokesman for the Met added that it is formal procedure to take drivers off duty in such cases.

Any witnesses to the incident should call the DPS on 8785 8738.