Edinburgh: Police confirm man dead after being hit by bus as 'severed head' claims go viral

WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: Witnesses claimed the horror discovery was made in Edinburgh's city centre last night - which saw cops cordon off roads, evacuate pubs and erect forensic tents on the street

A 74-year-old man has died after being struck by a bus in Edinburgh's Cowgate area on Saturday night.

The news follows reports that a "severed head" was found in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town with a series haunting images showing forensic tents being erected along the street. Police Scotland previously said they were responding to a "road traffic incident" as eye witnesses told how several nearby streets had been cordoned off.

The force have now confirmed that a man has died after being struck by a single decker bus in the city centre. Officers were called to the scene at around 7.25pm last night on Saturday, November 2.

Sergeant Louise Birrell, Road Policing Unit, Edinburgh, said today: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who died. Extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of this incident."

"Officers have spoken to a number of people who were in the area at the time and work is ongoing to check public and private CCTV footage. "We are still keen to hear from anyone who has not yet spoken to police. If you have any information about what happened, then please get in touch."

After a number of gruesome photos were shared online in the wake of the incident, Chief Inspector Trisha Clark, the local area commander, issued a warning over social media content.

She said: "We are aware of videos and images circulating on social media which are causing distress to the deceased's family and those viewing them inadvertently. We would ask members of the public not to share them out of respect for his family, and to report them to the relevant social media platform to prevent further circulation.

"There has been a lot of speculation, and I would like to reassure the local community that this was an isolated incident and there is no risk to the wider public.

"This was a tragic incident. We are investigating a crash, and our road policing officers, assisted by local officers, are continuing to carry out enquiries. Anyone with concerns or any information which could assist the investigation should contact police."

A horrified local who was out enjoying drinks with pals last night said a pub worker asked the group to leave the building because a severed head had been found in the area.

Katie McLaughlin, from Dumfries, was at Bannerman's Bar when she and her friends were locked in after around 8pm. The 31-year-old told the Daily Record: "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."

Locals were evacuated from pubs and clubs around Cowgate, including an event being held at the nearby Mash House nightclub, Edingburgh Live reports. A statement from Bachata Blues Edinburgh, the organisers, reads: "Following police instructions, all Cowgate venues are going to be closed tonight due to a major incident.

"All ways to enter Cowgate are cut off. Unfortunately, we have to cancel tonight's event as Mash House will remain closed all night, following police instructions. We will be back soon & hope to reschedule our night as soon as possible!"

A woman later took to TikTok claiming she was being arrested by cops in a seperate incident - when they had to suddenly leave to attend the scene in Cowgate last night. She alleged that the cops' faces had "turned white" as they sped off "doing 100mph minimum to get to Edinburgh."

A Police Scotland spokesperson previously said: "Emergency services are responding to a road traffic incident in Cowgate, Edinburgh. Blair Street, Guthrie Street, Candlemaker Road are closed. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes. Thank you for your patience."

Anyone with information on the incident is being asked to call the police via 101, quoting incident number 3395 of Saturday, 2 November 2024.