A PENSIONER who died after being hit by a police car on an emergency call was an ex-serviceman who was gassed during secret government tests.

Brian Elton, 72, of Endlebury Road, was one of hundreds who were experimented on at the Porton Down research centre, in Wiltshire, during the 1950s and 1960s without their permission.

In an out-of-court settlement announced last year The Ministry of Defence (MoD) agreed to give £8,300 to each of the 360 surviving victims and their widows.

Grandfather Mr Elton died after being struck by a marked police car attending an emergency call in the Ridgeway, Chingford, at about 1pm on Saturday.

It is believed Mr Elton had got off a bus at the stop near the junction with Endlebury Road, yards from his home.

It is not known why Mr Elton was in the road.

Neighbours told the Guardian of their "shock" and "sadness" at Mr Elton's death.

Peter Douglas, 60, said: "I used to speak to him over the fence, he was always very pleasant.

"He was always active, always pottering around doing things."

Mr Elton lived with his wife Monique, and had two sons and a grandson.

He was taken by ambulance to the Royal London Hospital, in Whitechapel, but died four hours after the accident.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) was informed of the incident but it will not take further action.

An IPCC spokeswoman said data from a recorder in the car and witness statements showed the car had had its lights and sirens on and was travelling at an "acceptable" speed, but could not confirm what this was.

A post-mortem is expected to take place in the next few days.

The Met Police Directorate of Professional Standards is investigating.

Anyone with information should call 8785 8738.