Businessman hurt as £200k Ferrari written off in crash

A CITY businessman is recovering at home after his £200,000 sports car was written off in a smash.

Balwinda Singh Landa’s Ferrari was left in pieces after it collided with a BMW in Queensferry Road on Thursday, sparking major tailbacks and traffic diversions.

The 49-year-old, who is known as Bindi and owns a string of tourist shops in Edinburgh, escaped without serious injury, although he and his passenger were taken to hospital.

The white Ferrari 458 Italia collided with a BMW X3 4x4 near the Orchard Brae junction and outside Stewart’s Melville College at around 3.15pm.

Three ambulances were deployed to the incident while police closed a section of the road for around two hours.

Mr Singh Landa was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary along with his 28-year-old passenger, a work colleague, who suffered a head injury and arm injury.

The 43-year-old driver of the BMW suffered a broken leg while his seven-year-old daughter was taken to the Sick Kids’ Hospital as a precaution.

There is no suggestion that either car had been speeding, and police sources said reports that Mr Singh Landa had exceeded the speed limit were inaccurate.

Mr Singh Landa said: “I was put on to a stretcher and put into the ambulance, as was my colleague.

“My colleague suffered quite bad injuries to his head and his arm.

“We discharged ourselves from hospital although my colleague had to return today for treatment.

“The car has a very powerful engine and so is quite loud even at low speeds. Any suggestion that I was over the speed limit is simply not the case.”

He added: “I’m not sure but I think the car is written off.”

Police are still investigating the cause of the crash and have asked anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them.

A police spokesman said: “Inquiries are ongoing into the cause of the collision, and anyone who witnessed the incident should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131-311 3131.”

In August Mr Singh Landa hit the headlines after a gang of masked men raided his upmarket home in Blackhall, restrained him and subjected him to a prolonged assault over four hours.

They are believed to have escaped with jewellery worth more than £10,000 after the robbery at the £1 million property.

The Singh Landa family owns around 15 properties in the city centre, including Elgin Cashmere and the Scottish Experience store.