Paramedics battled in vain to save the life of a construction worker after he collapsed at an Aberdeenshire building site.
Work on the shopping centre expansion at Westhill was halted after the tragedy and police have launched an investigation.
The 39-year-old man who died has not yet been named.
It is understood he is from the Dundee area.
He was working for a firm sub-contracted to construction firm Barr.
Yesterday, the company suspended work on the extension to the Westhill Shopping Centre, between Westhill Drive and Old Skene Road, as a mark of respect.
An ambulance was called after the worker was taken ill.
He was treated at the scene and taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary but later died.
Last night, a Health and Safety Executive spokeswoman said the organisations was “aware” of the incident and was making inquiries.
A Westhill resident who witnessed the incident on Tuesday said: “The big ambulance came and the normal rapid response, and I think there was a couple of nurses who parked at the hotel and came out to help.
“I am sure one of the guys was giving him CPR.”
The incident happened on Tuesday afternoon between 2pm-3pm at the rear of the work site, neighbouring both the Holiday Inn and Town and Country Veterinary Group.
A spokesman for Barr Construction confirmed: “A member of one of our sub-contractor’s staff fell ill on site and was taken by ambulance to hospital where he later died. The site was closed today as a mark of respect.”
The spokesman said the man had not suffered work-related injuries and could not confirm when work at the site would start again.
A police spokeswoman said: “Police Scotland can confirm that officers were made aware of the death of a 39-year-old man from the Dundee area, who collapsed whilst working on a construction site in Westhill.
“Investigations are ongoing into the man’s death, however there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.
“As with all sudden deaths, a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
An ambulance service spokesman said the man had “taken ill”, adding: “We did attend just at the back of the shopping centre for a medical matter, we transported a male into Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.”
Another Westhill resident said: “There is no work ongoing today presumably as a mark of respect. I don’t know if the guy had been ill or not. One of the girls at the shop was saying they normally come in for their snacks. It is a shame.”
Work on the shopping centre expansion started in September last year and is expected to be finished by the spring.