Body of Irish worker killed in hit and run tossed in New York Medical Examiner's van along with bags of TRASH



Kevin Bell, 26, from Newry, County Down, was found early on Sunday

He was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital



Eyewitness: He lay down down in road before being hit by at least one car

Killed: Kevin Bell, 26, from Ireland died on Sunday morning

The body of an Irish worker killed in a hit and run accident in New York was tossed in to the city's Medical Examiner’s Office van next to bags of recyclable bottles.

Kevin Bell, 26, from Newry, County Down, was found in the Bronx district early on Sunday morning and was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital.

A photo emerged of Mr Bell's body being put in the van next to the recycling has compounded his family and friends' distress.

'I can’t begin to think of how the suffering must be for his parents at the moment,' friend Joe Crilly, 55 told the New York Post.



Marielly Ramos, 33, who was driving on East 233rd near Oneida Avenue saw Bell being killed after she pulled over to try and help him.



She was horrified at how his body was being treated: 'They throw him in a car full of garbage? It’s upsetting. He’s somebody’s child. You wouldn’t even do that to an animal.’'

She told the website that she saw Mr Bell, who was in American to do summer work, stumbling across the road.

He then lay down down in the middle of the road before being hit by at least one car, she claimed.



His friends have now organised a quiz to help raise funds to bring his body home.

Dominic Bradley MLA told the BBC : 'Kevin's parents, brothers, sisters, family circle and friends are devastated and heartbroken at the news of his death in a hit and run incident in New York.



'Kevin was an exceptional young man who brought joy and happiness to his family and to all who knew him. He had a great sense of fun and it was a pleasure to be in his company as anyone who knew him will testify,' he said.



Efforts: His friends have now organised a quiz to help raise funds to bring his body home











