Officers probe death of man in Edinburgh flat on Christmas Eve

Published on Saturday 26 December 2009 10:08

POLICE investigations are continuing today after the death of a man on Christmas Eve.

Police and ambulance crews were called to the flat in Northfield Drive after reports of an alleged disturbance in the early hours of the morning.

A 20-year-old woman has been arrested and charged with assault.

The 62-year-old man was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary following the emergency call at 1:30am, but died a few hours later.

Police are investigating and are calling for any witnesses who noticed anything unusual or heard the disturbance to come forward.

They are due to carry out a postmortem today.

The block of flats in the quiet residential street was still cordoned off yesterday with two police cars outside.

A police spokesman said: "We are keen to hear from anybody who was in the Northfield Drive area in the early hours of Christmas Eve who saw anything untoward or heard any sort of disturbance. Our Inquiries are at a very early stage as we endeavour to determine both the cause of death and the circumstances that preceded the man's death."

They had been questioning residents, who expressed their shock at the incident.

Glen McCaskill, 53, who lives opposite the flat, said: "There were about seven police cars outside on Christmas Eve. They were knocking on everyone's door and asking them about it. I didn't hear a thing. The first thing I knew was when I looked out the door and saw all the police.

"I've lived here for three years and it's usually very quiet. You never expect this sort of thing to happen."

A woman, who asked not to be named, said: "It's very sad, especially at this time of year. We've lived here for 15 years, and there's never been anything like this before."

Another resident, who asked not to be named, said: "This is a quiet area and I'm struggling to explain to my kids why there's police tape around the neighbour's house on Christmas day.

"I'm just telling them they are just there to keep us safe and to make sure Santa gets home safe too.

"None of us heard a thing on the night it happened, so we've no idea what went on. It's upsetting to think a family is mourning for the guy while the rest of us are having our Christmas dinners."

Anyone with any information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.