Man hit by bus in Edinburgh died on 'hostile and dangerous' street, say campaigners

According to activists, a man who tragically passed away from severe injuries after being struck by a bus in Edinburgh lost his life on a road described as "threatening and unsafe."

Eight years ago, Living Streets urged that the area be shut off to vehicles following numerous complaints that it was the most dangerous place in the city for pedestrians.

A 74-year-old man was killed when he was hit by a single-decker bus on a bustling street filled with bars and nightclubs, where many people were celebrating, on Saturday night.

Police Scotland has consistently urged the public to refrain from sharing pictures or videos from the scene, in order to honor the privacy of the family of the deceased.

Pictures and videos allegedly depicting disturbing scenes from the location were rapidly shared on X.

Police Scotland reported that a traffic incident occurred around 7:30 PM, according to a now-removed post on X.

The police did not verify that a man had passed away until 12:27 PM on Sunday.

Police Scotland urged people not to share the images again and to “notify the appropriate social media platform about the pictures.”

The police chose not to provide any details when BBC Scotland News inquired about the situation.

Chief Inspector Trisha Clark mentioned on Sunday: “We know that there are videos and pictures being shared on social media that are upsetting both the family of the deceased and people who come across them by accident.”

"We kindly request that the public refrain from sharing these materials to honor the wishes of his family. Instead, please report them to the appropriate social media platform to help stop any further spread."

“There has been plenty of discussion and concern, so I want to assure everyone in the local community that this was a one-time event, and there is no danger to the general public.”

In the meantime, BBC Scotland News has discovered that an audit conducted by Living Streets in June 2016 highlighted that "heavy vehicle traffic" was the primary issue for people walking in the Cowgate area.

One person who took part in the survey referred to the street as a "place where traffic goes to pile up," while another labeled it "the most difficult street in Edinburgh to walk on."

David Hunter, the group's organizer, mentioned that traffic in Cowgate has been a recognized danger for over two decades.

He remarked, “Eight years ago, we described Cowgate in our report as 'the most dangerous street in Edinburgh.' It has been recognized as a risk for more than two decades, which is why vehicles are prohibited from driving there late at night.”

While there have been some positive changes, such as the introduction of a 20mph speed limit and double yellow lines, issues like speeding vehicles and poor-quality sidewalks continue to make the area unfriendly and at times perilous for those on foot.

"It’s important not to hastily assume what led to the tragic event over the weekend, but minimizing or completely eliminating traffic in the Cowgate area should definitely be a key focus for the city's traffic management strategies moving forward."

The existing regulations are intended to prohibit any vehicles from using the street after 10 PM.

The region is also included within the city's 20 mph speed limit and Low Emission zones.

Nonetheless, buses, cars, taxis, and large trucks are allowed to operate before the curfew, provided they comply with emissions regulations.

No Lothian bus routes operate on that street.

The neighborhood boasts over a dozen bars and multiple nightclubs, along with hotels, hostels, eateries, and places for students to stay.

It also offers connections to other bustling side streets that lead to additional dining and entertainment spots.

In some areas, the sidewalks are quite narrow, forcing people to step onto the road to get around dense crowds.

Saturday was particularly hectic because of the Halloween weekend. Many party-goers were in costumes, and crowds were making their way back to the city center after attending Scotland's rugby match against Fiji at Murrayfield.

Police Scotland reported that the man was hit by the bus around 7:25 PM.

A large barrier was set up starting from the intersection with Blackfriars Street all the way to the exit for Guthrie Street.

Two forensic tents were set up, and all paths leading to them were cordoned off.

To stop people walking by from peering into the space below, sheets were installed on the railings of North Bridge, which is located above.

The pubs and bars located within the restricted area were promptly shut down following the event, while those located further up the street towards the Grassmarket continued to operate normally.