The bustling heart of Edinburgh was plunged into horror after a pedestrian collision in Cowgate area led to the harrowing rumour of a “severed head” lying on the street. Police swarmed the scene around 7.30 pm on Saturday amidst a serious road traffic accident investigation.
The unsettling event prompted immediate local pub evacuations, as officers rapidly encircled the spot of the collision. An eyewitness claimed the alleged “severed head” was seen on a nearby road while unverified images have reportedly been circulating online, shocking social media users who dubbed the snapshots as “gruesome” and “horrific”.
Meanwhile, forensic teams have been spotted setting up two tents at the site, indicating the intensity of the inquiry.
Katie McLaughlin, hailing from Dumfries, shared her chilling encounter at Bannerman’s Bar amid the turmoil, telling the Daily 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.
“Police just appeared and started putting tape up. Whatever it is, it looks pretty serious. There doesn’t look to be any cars inside the cordon anyway.”
Blair Street, Guthrie Street and Candlemaker Road remain cordoned off. Several surrounding nightclubs have been ordered to shut down to allow police investigations to proceed.
A number of bars and clubs were due to host Halloween-themed events.
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, November 2, 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.”
