Police confirm 74-year-old man died following reports of 'decapitation'

Police Scotland confirmed death in Edinburgh last night

News

Zahra Haliq And Zasha Whiteway-Wilkinson

13:19, 03 November 2024Updated Date: 14:01, 03 November 2024

Pictures from Edinburgh Live. Cowgate Edinburgh: Main road locked down as large police presence fills street A large police presence has been detected in Cowgate and many surrounding streets have also been cordoned off by police who say they are responding to a “road traffic incident”.

A 74-year-old man tragically died after being hit by a bus in the Cowgate area of Edinburgh on Saturday night. It comes after grisly footage showed a “severed head” being discovered in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town and forensic tents set up along the street.

Police Scotland initially reported that they were responding to a “road traffic incident”, as witnesses noted that several nearby streets were cordoned off. Police have confirmed that one person has died after being struck by a single-decker bus in the city centre.

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Officers were called to the scene at around 7.25pm on Saturday, November 2. Sergeant Louise Birrell, of the Highway Policing Unit in Edinburgh, said today: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the dead man. Full investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of this incident.”

After a series of horrific photographs were shared online following the incident, local area commander Chief Inspector Trisha Clark issued a warning over social media content.

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He said: “Officers have spoken to a number of people who were in the area at the time and efforts are continuing to check public and private CCTV footage. “We are still looking forward to hearing from anyone who has not yet spoken to police.

“If you have any information about the incident, please get in touch.

Reports of ‘severed heads’ near Edinburgh Cowgate as forensic officers rush to the scene(Picture: daily record)

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Local area commander Chief Inspector Trisha Clark issued a warning about social media content after a series of disturbing images were shared online following the incident. Mirror.

He said: “We are aware of videos and images circulating on social media that are disturbing the family of the deceased and those who accidentally viewed them.”

“Out of respect for his family, we ask the public not to share these and to report them to the relevant social media platform to prevent further spread.”

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He said: “There has been much speculation and I would like to reassure the local community that this is an isolated incident and there is no risk to the wider public. Anyone with concerns or any information that may assist the investigation should get in touch.” police.”

The images circulating on the internet have not yet been verified.(Picture: daily record)

Local resident Katie McLaughlin described her experience to the Daily Record: “He said the police were out and a severed head had been found in the Cowgate. I almost laughed because it was Halloween weekend and thought it was a joke.”

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An eyewitness described the incident as follows: “We went to the bar and the staff there said ‘no, this is real.’

They said the police ordered them to close the bar. They then let us all go out the back door but we were able to take a look at the street.

“I saw three police cars, five officers and a small silver tent. The police were taping off the area.

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“We’re in another bar right now. The whole area is blocked off. It looks so surreal.”

Reports a "severed head" It emerged after police sealed off an area of Edinburgh's old town on Saturday night

Comments on the force’s Facebook page claim the footage of the alleged incident is “appalling” and “appalling”.

People were evacuated from bars and clubs in the Cowgate area, including an event at Mash House nightclub. Organizers Bachata Blues Edinburgh said: “In accordance with police instructions, all Cowgate venues will be closed tonight due to a major incident.

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“A woman claimed on TikTok that she was arrested in a separate incident when police suddenly left to go to the scene in Cowgate. She claimed officers’ faces “turned white” as they drove at high speed to head to Edinburgh.”

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

They have also asked anyone with information about the incident to contact police by calling 101, quoting incident number 3395, on Saturday 2 November 2024.