Police are probing the circumstances surrounding the accident that claimed the life of one of their colleagues in Tobago.

Officer Ritchie Elder died at hospital last night after being hit by a car on the Claude Noel highway near Aukenscore road.

Newscenter 5 understands officer Elder was driving his vehicle along the highway last night when he stopped his vehicle to change a tyre.

However, it is said he was struck by an oncoming vehicle. We are told Mr Elder was thrown some 15M on impact.

The EHS was then contacted. Mr Elder is said to have suffered head and chest injuries.

He was rushed to the Scarborough hospital when he died a short while later.

Scarborough police are continuing investigations.