Police in Edinburgh confirm pedestrian struck by vehicle amid reports of 'severed head'

Police in Edinburgh have confirmed that a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on a popular city street, with reports suggesting that a 'severed head' was discovered on the road.

The incident occurred at approximately 7.30pm on Saturday night, when police and emergency medical services personnel responded to reports of a serious road traffic collision in the Cowgate area.

The Daily Record reports that pubs and venues in the area were evacuated after dozens of officers arrived on the scene.

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The report adds that eyewitnesses on the scene claimed that a 'severed head' was found on a nearby street, though the Record was not yet able to verify the credibility of photographs shared online and sent to the outlet.

Images shared online were described as "gruesome" and "horrific" and forensic investigators have set up two separate tents in the area as investigations continue. Blair Street, Guthrie Street and Candlemaker Road were closed off by officers.

Katie McLaughlin, from Dumfries, had been in Bannerman's Bar in Cowgate when she and her friends were locked in at around 8pm.

The 31-year-old told the Record: "We were in Bannermans having a drink and went to leave but a member of the staff stopped us. He said police were outside and a severed head had been found in the Cowgate. I almost laughed because it's Halloween weekend and I thought it was a prank. We went to the bar where the staff said, 'no, it's real.'

"They said that the police had ordered them to shut the pub. They then let us all leave by the back door but we were able to have a look down the street.

"I saw three police cars and five police officers and a small silver tent. The police were taping off the area. We are in another pub now. The whole area is sealed off. It just seems so surreal."

A Police Scotland statement reads: "Officers in Edinburgh are currently dealing with a serious road traffic collision in the Cowgate area of the city.

"Shortly after 7.30pm on Saturday, 2 November, we responded to reports of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle. Enquiries are ongoing.

"Blair Street, Guthrie Street and Candlemaker Row are currently closed, and members of the public are asked to avoid the area until further notice."

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