Police detain driver after man is knocked down in New Town

A DRIVER who allegedly drove off after knocking down a 21-year-old man in Edinburgh's New Town was detained by the police yesterday evening.

The incident is believed to have occurred as police pursued the driver of a red coup who had been spotted driving away on the wrong side of the road after hitting the pedestrian on the corner of Great Stuart Street.

The car also smashed into a parked Renault Laguna belonging to a resident, before driving away.

A man was later detained by police near the Dean Bridge after colliding with another vehicle. The victim was taken to hospital, where he was treated for a broken leg.

"I heard a bang and rushed to the window," said one Great Stuart Street resident. "I saw a red car driving away on the wrong side of the road and a man was lying there. He had just been crossing the road and was struck by the car."

John Heggarty, who owned the car damaged in the smash, said he heard sirens and looked out of his window on to Great Stuart Street.

"I was just concerned for the man who had been hurt," he said. "It was only later I noticed that my car had been hit by the driver as well."