Baberton explosion: Police update

MAN DIES IN BABERTON BLAST

An 84-year-old man has died following an explosion at a house in Baberton Mains Avenue in Edinburgh.

Officers received multiple reports following the incident around 10.25pm last night (Friday, 1 December, 2023).

Emergency services attended and a 43-year-old woman and 54-year-old man were taken to hospital for treatment.

Several properties were evacuated as a precaution and the road remains closed.

There are no suspicious circumstances and Police continue to work alongside partner agencies.

UPDATE

The 84-year-old man who died following an explosion at a house in Baberton Mains Avenue in Edinburgh can now be named as James Findlay Smith.

Officers were called to the incident in Baberton Mains Avenue around 10.25pm on Friday, 1 December, 2023.

In a statement released through Police Scotland, his family said: “It is with deep regret that our Father/ Papa/ Father in Law, James Findlay Smith, sadly lost his life in the tragic events at Baberton Mains Avenue on 1st December 2023.

“Our thoughts are with everyone involved and our well wishes go to the impacted families.

“We would like to thank the emergency services and the neighbours who went above and beyond for their support and help on the evening and following days.

“We request that you respect our privacy at this time.”

Police appeal following fatal crash on Stevenson Drive

POLICE are appealing for information following a fatal crash in Edinburgh.

Emergency services were called to Stevenson Drive in the Balgreen area around 3.30pm yesterday (Saturday, 26 August, 2023) after a crash involving a car and a 70-year-old female pedestrian.

The pedestrian was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where she died a short time later.

The 23-year-old driver of the car, a black Mercedes C-Class, was arrested in connection with a road traffic offence.

The road was closed while crash investigations were carried out and reopened around 9.50pm.

Officers are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Police Sergeant Jill Kirkpatrick said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the woman who died at this very difficult time. We will continue to support them as our enquiries progress.

“I’m appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time and saw what happened to get in touch. Drivers with dashcam footage of Stevenson Drive in the time leading up to the crash are urged to review it and bring anything of significance to our attention.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via 101 quoting reference 2403 of 26 August, 2023.

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Pedestrian dies in Calder Road accident

A 21-year-old male pedestrian has died after being struck by a car on Calder Road. The incident happened around 7am this morning (Tuesday, 4 July).

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The male driver of the silver Toyota Auris involved in the collision was uninjured.

The road was closed until around 12.10pm to allow for investigation at the scene.

Sergeant Barry Sommerville said: “Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends at this difficult time.

“We are working to establish the full circumstances and I would urge anyone who may have information which has not yet been passed to police to get in touch.

“We would also be keen to speak to anyone who may have dashcam footage from the area.

“Anyone with information can call 101, quoting reference 0497 of 4 July, 2023.”

Police appeal following fatal road accident in Haymarket

Road Policing officers in Edinburgh are appealing for information following a fatal crash on Haymarket Terrace.

The incident took place around 5.35pm yesterday (Saturday, 4 February, 2023) involving a bus and a pedestrian.

The pedestrian, a 79-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sergeant Barry Sommerville, from the Edinburgh Road Policing Unit, said: “At this time, our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of the man who died.

“We are carrying out enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident and would appeal to anyone who was in the Haymarket Terrace or Clifton Terrace area around the time of the crash to please come forward.

“If you have any information, or potential dashcam footage, which could assist our enquiries, please call police on 101, quoting incident 2828 of 4 February.”

Police seek witnesses to fatal road accident on Oswald Road

A 52-year-old man has died following a one-vehicle road crash on Oswald Road, Edinburgh, at the junction with South Oswald Road.

The crash involved a silver Ford Focus Zetec and took place around 5.10pm on Sunday, 29 January, 2023. The driver was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where he was pronounced dead.

The road was closed until 8.55pm.

Sergeant Jill Kirkpatrick, from the Edinburgh Road Policing Unit, said: “Our thoughts are very much with the deceased’s family and friends at this time.

“Our enquiries into this incident remain ongoing and we continue to appeal to anyone who was in the Oswald Road area, or who believes they saw the Ford Focus nearby prior to the crash, to please come forward.

“We are also keen to speak to anyone in the area who may have dashcam or private CCTV footage, as we carry out enquiries into this incident.

“Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident 2466 of 29 January, 2023.”

Police appeal for witnesses following fatal collision on City Bypass

We are appealing for information following a fatal crash on the Edinburgh City Bypass. The incident happened around 1.10pm on Tuesday (20 December) on the A720 westbound near to the Sheriffhall roundabout.

It involved two cars, a silver Renault Captur and a grey Skoda Karoq.

The driver of the Renault, a 66-year-old man, was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he died a short time later.

The road was closed while crash investigation work was carried out and fully re-opened around 4.40pm.

Sergeant Scott Kirkpatrick said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who died and our investigation to find out the full circumstances of what happened continues.

“I am appealing for anyone who saw what happened or who has dash-cam footage that could help with our enquiries to get in touch.

“Please call us on 101, quoting incident number 1379 of Tuesday, 20 December, 2022.”

CCTV appeal following fatal crash on Easter Road

Police Scotland has released images of two women they believe may hold information which might assist in relation to a fatal road traffic collision which occurred around 2.40am on Sunday, 19 June, 2022 on Easter Road.

A 21-year-old man died as a result of the collision and 23-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the collision.

The first woman is described as white, aged between 30-40 years, large build, blonde hair with darker roots tied up in a bun, wearing glasses, light clothing, carrying two full “bags for life” and a mobile phone.

The second woman is described as white, aged between 50-60 years, very skinny build, dark hair, dark trousers and possibly a maroon jacket, carrying a large dark handbag and was seen struggling to walk.

Constable Joanna Murphy, from the Edinburgh Road Policing team, said: “I would urge the women, or anyone who has information relating to the women, depicted in these images to make contact with the Police.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact the police on 101, quoting incident 0590 of Sunday, 19 June 2022.  Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be passed on anonymously.”

City Bypass collision victim named

A pedestrian who died following a collision involving a car on the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass can be named as Michael Greens.

The incident happened around 5.10am on Saturday, 3 September, 2022, eastbound near the Straiton junction. Mr Greens, 25, was pronounced dead at the scene.

His family have issued the following statement through Police Scotland:

“Michael was an extremely sharp and intelligent man, who would astound and entertain us with his wit and knowledge.

He was a student of science and history, with a passion for fitness and historical re-enactment.

A joy to be around, he touched the hearts of those who knew him.

He will be sorely missed by parents, Billy and Sadie, and brother, Daniel.”

The 39-year-old male driver of the BMW 3 Series car involved was uninjured.

The road was closed until around 12.40pm to allow for an investigation at the scene.

Sergeant Barry Sommerville of Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit said: “Our thoughts are with the Michael’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.

“Our enquiries are continuing to establish the full circumstances and I would ask anyone with information which could help to get in touch.

“We would also be keen to speak to anyone who may have dashcam footage which could help our investigation.

“Anyone with information can call 101, quoting reference 0714 of Saturday, 3 September, 2022.”

Man dies in Hermiston Gait crash

A 54-year-old man has died following a road crash on the M8 near Edinburgh.

The incident involved a single vehicle, a black DAF HGV, which overturned a short distance west of the Hermiston Gait Roundabout about 4pm on Tuesday, 23 August.

The driver was rescued from the vehicle but was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later. His next of kin are aware.

The road was closed for around 12 hours to allow for an investigation at the scene and for recovery of the vehicle.

Sergeant Paul Ewing, of Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit, said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man involved in this incident.

“Our enquiries to establish what led to this incident are ongoing and I would urge anyone with information to come forward.

“We would be keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have dashcam footage of the vehicle.

“Anyone with information can call 101, quoting reference 2184 of 23 August.”

Police appeal following fatal collision on Portobello High Street

A woman has died following a crash involving a lorry and a cyclist on Portobello High Street.

The incident took place around 2.45pm yesterday (Monday, 2 November) and the 36-year-old cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sergeant Mark Banner, from Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit, said: “Our thoughts are with the deceased’s family at this tragic time.

“We are asking for anyone who was in the area and saw the collision take place to place come forward. If you have potential dashcam or CCTV footage in that area around 2.45pm, that could also greatly assist our enquiries.”

INCIDENT UPDATE:

THE cyclist who died after being involved in a collision with a lorry has been named as Heather Stronach.

The incident took place around 2.45pm on Monday, 2 November, on Portobello High Street heading towards Sir Harry Lauder Road. The 36-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.Enquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing.

Heather’s husband, Martyn Stronach, said: “Heather loved to ride her bike. I am feeling pretty lost. I have lost my best friend and my soul mate.”

The family has requested privacy at this time.

Sergeant Mark Banner, of the Road Policing Unit, said: “We are still appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident, either shortly before or during, to contact us.”I’d also ask drivers who were in the area around 2.45pm to check their dash-cam footage.”

Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 1829 of 2 November 2020.