Taxi driver dies after ‘altercation’ in Dalkeith

A TAXI driver is believed to have died of a heart attack following an alleged altercation with a passenger in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The driver was rushed by ambulance to Edinburghs Royal Infirmary where he was declared dead. Picture: Rob McDougall

Tom Milligan, who was described as a “great man” by friends, died following the incident outside his taxi at 1:20am on Lauder Road in Dalkeith, Midlothian.

Police are treating the death as “suspicious”.

Mr Milligan, from Dalkeith, was in his fifties and had underlying health issues and it is believed he was struck after a passenger refused to leave his cab. The driver, believed to be a father of two, was rushed by ambulance to Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary where he was declared dead.

Mr Milligan worked as a driver for family firm Star Cars in Newtongrange, Midlothian, alongside brother Stevie and son Allan.

He has a second son, Gary, who also lives in Dalkeith.

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A family friend, who did not wish to be named, said: “I have passed my condolences on. The family are completely devastated.”

Friends of Mr Milligan’s son Allan offered their support to the heartbroken taxi driver last night.

Writing on Facebook, Alicia Burns wrote: “Thinking of you all. He was a great man and will be sorely missed.”

Another friend, Kevin Locke, added: “So sorry Allan.. In total shock. Thinking of you all.”

One family friend, Gail Burnett, also wrote in tribute on Facebook: “My dad’s friend died of a heart attack after trying to calm some arguing passengers.”

A team leader at Central Taxis, in Edinburgh, who wished to remain anonymous, said violence from passengers was a concern for all taxi drivers.

He said: “It is always a concern when drivers are out. They are out on their own as one person, against thousands of others, and especially when drink is involved – it’s something they worry about.”

Police Scotland are appealing for witnesses to the incident.

DI Mark Henderson said: “We are currently treating this death as suspicious and we are appealing for anyone who was in the area of Lauder Road and East House Road in Dalkeith.”

Mr Milligan’s death comes one day after a 28-year-old man was killed after a collision on the M8 motorway.

Murray D’Angelo died on Saturday morning after he got out of a taxi he was travelling in and was struck by two cars on the outskirts of Edinburgh.

Emergency services were called to the incident, at around 615am, between the Hermiston and Gogar junctions, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The M8, one of Scotland’s busiest roads, was closed in both directions while police investigated.

Police last night urged witnesses to come forward to help with both incidents.

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