Firemen free crash victim

A MAN had to be freed from underneath a car by firefighters after he was struck by a vehicle believed to be a private hire taxi in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The 22-year-old pedestrian was taken to hospital with serious injuries after the collision, which occurred at 12.10am on Old Dalkeith Road, near the junction with Ferniehill Drive.

The driver of the vehicle stopped at the scene.

The road was closed for around four hours after the accident and police say their inquiries are ongoing.

A spokeswoman for the fire service said: “There was a male casualty trapped under a taxi. We had to use airbags to lift the taxi up and get him out, and he went to hospital.”

Witnesses are asked to call police on 0131-311 3131 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.