British grandfather, 57, killed in accident the day he arrived in Australia to visit family

John Cunningham, 57, was killed when a vehicle struck him outside Harbor Town Shopping Center on Wednesday. He had traveled to Australia with his wife Annmarie to visit family

John Cunningham pictured with his wife Annmarie (

Image: Facebook)

A British grandfather was killed outside a shopping mall in Australia just a day after arriving in the country to visit family.

John Cunningham, 57, was on holiday with his wife Annmarie when he was hit by a vehicle outside Harbor Town Shopping Center on Queensland's Gold Coast on Wednesday.

The couple, believed to be from the north of England, are said to have visited their daughter Leah and children who were staying at a nearby caravan park.

On the day of the incident, the man may have climbed out from behind a bus onto the road before being hit by a Holden Colorado utility, according to reports.

Police say the 19-year-old driver pulled over immediately and tried to help the man, but sadly Mr Cunningham was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was killed outside the Harbor Town shopping center on Wednesday (

Picture:

Wikimedia Commons)

According to , the young driver was treated for shock at the scene and taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in stable condition.

Queensland Police said in a statement: "The driver, a 19-year-old male from Biggera Waters, pulled over and rendered immediate assistance to the man prior to emergency response, but the pedestrian died at the scene."

The heartbroken wife of the victim wrote on Facebook: "My heart is broken, I lost my best friend."