OAP killed in car horror

PARAMEDICS and a passing GP struggled in vain to save the life of an elderly woman hit by a car in Newington.

qEmergency services were called to the scene at Minto Street at around 4.15pm yesterday after an 85-year-old woman was struck by a car. The collision, involving a red Volkswagen Golf being driven towards the city by a 29-year-old woman, happened near to the junction with Salisbury Road.

Despite efforts of the two paramedics and a GP, the woman died from her injuries at the scene. Minto Street was closed in both directions for over three hours to allow a specialist accident investigation.

A second road accident this morning claimed the life of a driver after a car crashed down an embankment on the M8, just outside East Whitburn, West Lothian.

The crash happened just past the Harthill services at around 5.15am.

The driver was treated by ambulance staff, but was pronounced dead at the scene.

Brian Cox, 60, who lives in Minto Street, described the scene of yesterday's accident.

He said: "There was a Volkswagen Golf out in the road, facing up the hill, with the windscreen shattered. There was damage to the bonnet. Someone was on the pavement trying to get resuscitated. There was a lot of blood."

Investigating officer Inspector David Muir said: "Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to contact Lothian and Borders Police."

Cordons were lifted and traffic started using the section of road again at 7.45pm.

A small section of bus lane on Minto remained closed until 8.30pm when a street cleaning vehicle arrived to clean the road.

Residents say that part of Minto Street is a hotspot for accidents.

Mr Cox added: "There are lots of accidents in this street so we are quite used to it.

In October last year, three people were seriously injured after being hit by a car while they waited at a bus stop on Minto Street, just yards from where the 85-year-old was killed yesterday.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131-311 3131.