Man camping at Water of Leith crushed by falling tree

A man has been crushed to death by a tree after it fell on his tent while he was camping overnight in Edinburgh.

The man was camping near Miller Row in the Dean Village when the tree fell on his tent. Picture: Jane Barlow

Two men were camping on the banks of the Water of Leith when the huge tree came down.

One of the men died as a result of the incident.

Emergency services were called to the to the scene at 3.30am yesterday on Miller Row, in the Dean Village area of the city.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Police in Edinburgh were called to an area of woodlands on the south bank of the Water of Leith, accessed from Miller Row.

“A very large tree had fallen on a tent in which two men were sleeping and, sadly, one of the men was pronounced dead at the scene.

“A 35-year-old man also suffered minor injuries, but did not require medical treatment.

“Officers have consulted with the appropriate partners who are confident that the tree fell as a result of natural occurrences.

“We’re currently working to trace the deceased’s next of kin, and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”

Miller Row is a pedestrian only lane next to the picturesque Water of Leith walkway.

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