Hong Kong police have arrested a 78-year-old minibus driver after his vehicle struck and killed a 75-year-old pedestrian near a public housing estate in Ngau Tau Kok.

The force said on Sunday that it received a report at 9am about a red-topped minibus that had knocked down a man who had suddenly crossed the road outside Lotus Tower on Ngau Tau Kok Road.

The pedestrian, surnamed Lam, was not breathing when paramedics arrived. He was also without a pulse and had sustained a head injury.

Lam was taken to United Christian Hospital in Kwun Tong and later certified dead.

The front left side of the minibus was visibly dented and a pool of blood was left on the ground. Police interviewed a 62-year-old minibus passenger who witnessed the incident.

A source said the vehicle had struck the man at a section of the road between a set of traffic lights and a pedestrian island, which were about 80 metres (262 feet) apart.