A man was 'sandwiched' to death when a van which he had started while standing outside the vehicle, reportedly jerked forward, crushing him against a concrete wall at the main lobby of the Majlis Agama Islam Melaka Building here yesterday.

Norazam Abd Razak, 43, died on the spot as the vehicle, whose gear was engaged crushed him against the wall in the 6.40pm incident.

He sustained chest injuries.

Melaka Tengah police chief, ACP Shaikh Abdul Adzis Shaikh Abdullah said initial investigations revealed Norazam could have been unaware the gear of the van was engaged when he switched on the ignition while outside the vehicle.

"As a result, the van had overshot, trapping the victim between the door and the wall," he said when contacted by Bernama here today.

The body was sent to the Melaka Hospital.