Five injured after winds hit city market stalls

Published on Saturday 11 October 2008 20:18

FIVE people were taken to hospital yesterday after high winds blew over stalls at an Italian market in Edinburgh's city centre.

The incident took place on Castle Street at around 1pm. Six aluminium-framed stalls overturned, trapping four people beneath them. It is not clear how the fifth person was hurt.

The fire service was on the scene within five minutes, but those trapped had already been freed by passers-by and nearby shop workers.

The injured were then treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

One woman was reported to have suffered a broken leg, while the other four were treated for more minor injuries.

Graeme Gillespie, a sales manager at High & Mighty, a shop next to the market, said: "We just saw the canopies flying through the air. I was afraid they were going to come through the window but luckily they stopped."

The market was dismantled immediately following the incident.

A worker, who did not wish to be named, said: "I don't understand what happened. Everything was properly weighted and moored but the wind just took it.

"We just thought it was best to pack up. The whole thing was so shocking and no one was really in the mood to carry on after this."

Staff at an Edinburgh garage had a lucky escape in March this year when 70mph winds caused a 50ft tree to fall on to a garage on Comiston Road.

The tree landed just feet away from the petrol pumps.