64-year-old hit by car 'seriously ill'

Published on Thursday 10 December 2009 08:38

A WOMAN is in a serious condition in hospital after being hit by a car close to a pedestrian crossing.

The 64-year-old was hit near the pelican crossing on Melville Terrace, close to the junction of Livingstone Place, shortly after 5pm.

The woman was conscious and breathing when paramedics rushed her to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary with head and leg injuries. Her condition was said to be serious.

The driver was questioned by police and released.

Police are currently investigating the circumstances of the crash.

One witness, who did not want to be named, said: "The woman didn't cross at the crossing itself, but a few metres up the road after the crossing.

"There are barriers either side of the crossing, and the woman decided to cross to the left of the barrier.

"The car went past the pedestrian crossing and hit her with such force that his windscreen was smashed. The paramedic that tended to her ascertained that she had a fractured skull, and she was taken to the hospital by ambulance."

The entire stretch of Melville Terrace was closed for several hours while police investigated.

Sgt Mark Banner, investigating the incident at the scene last night, said: "The woman's injury is serious and we are therefore treating the incident as serious, which is why we have closed the road and brought out so many officers to investigate.

"We are currently investigating the circumstances of the incident, so we don't yet know if any charges will be brought. All we know at the moment is that there was one car, and one pedestrian involved.

"The driver has been spoken to and released. He has not been arrested."