An Englishman died from car exhaust poisoning on Tuesday afternoon, the police said.

The accident took place inside a garage in Triq l-Iżbark tal-Franċiżi, Mellieħa.

At around 2:30pm, the police were alerted to fumes coming out of the garage. A number of officers went on site and found that the casualty, 52, had been working on some vehicles when the garage filled up with exhaust smoke. The man had fallen unconscious.

He was given first aid by a medical team at the scene and was later taken to Mater Dei Hospital by ambulance but was pronounced dead a short while later.

Magistrate Monica Vella is leading an inquiry. District police are also investigating.