A man hit by a car in South Africa last week was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, and his body then placed in a refrigerator at a local mortuary.

However, when the victim's family arrived at the mortuary to identify his body, staff quickly realised he had a pulse.

The victim, 28-year-old Msizi Mkhize, had been walking with a friend in the township of KwaMashu, close to Durban, when the crash took place.

After he was found in the refrigerator he was rushed to Durban's Mahatma Gandhi hospital for emergency treatment, but died there a few hours later.

Dr Sifiso Mtshali, head of the region's health department, told reporters an inquiry had been launched, adding: “Without prejudice, the department would like to state that the passing away of any individual is a painful experience. To this end, the department would like to express condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.”