TORONTO -- A 43-year-old man died when he was struck by a van and pinned against the wall of an auction house in the east end of Brampton, Ont., Wednesday morning.

But there were more questions than answers in the aftermath of the fatality.

Peel Regional Police reported workers at Adesa Toronto on Auction Lane, near Queen St. E. and Goreway Dr., were preparing for an auction when tragedy struck around 10 a.m.

Emergency crews responded to the business, an automobile auction house, and found the victim pinned by a white van against a brick wall between loading bay doors.

Rescue workers spent about 15 minutes trying unsuccessfully to save the crushed man, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

It was not immediately clear whether the fatality was caused by human error, a mechanical malfunction with the vehicle or something else.

"All of that is under investigation," Const. Erin Cooper said. "Our major collision bureau is going to be doing the investigation.

"There was a lot of witnesses here, so they'll be speaking to them."

The victim was a resident of Stouffville, Ont., north of Toronto. The driver of the van is a 69-year-old Brampton man.

Neither of their names have been released and it's not yet clear if either worked at the large auction house.

chris.doucette@sunmedia.ca