Woman suffers serious burns after car crash

A WOMAN suffered serious burns seconds after leaving a drive-through restaurant when her car crashed - spraying her with scalding-hot coffee.

A woman was who bought a coffee from a McDonald's in Edinburgh scalded herself after being involved in a car crash shortly after. Picture: Rob McDougall

• Woman suffers serious burns after being scalded by coffee in car crash

• Driver had purchased drink from McDonald’s in Edinburgh before incident

• Firefighters described burns on woman’s stomach as “major”

The unlucky passenger had travelled no more than half a mile from a McDonald’s in Edinburgh when her car collided with another vehicle.

The coffee caused burns to the woman’s stomach, some of them described by firefighters as “major”.

The woman and the driver of the car - who had to be cut free from wreckage - were taken to hospital and kept in overnight.

A spokeswoman for the fire brigade said they got a call shortly before 11pm on Thursday to a two-car crash in Telford Road.

She said: “One woman in her late 50s was taken to hospital with minor to major burns on her stomach after she dropped her hot drink from McDonalds during the collision.”

A spokesman from the AA advised drivers that the incident should be a warning to everyone.

He said: “The chances of this happening are one in a million really but it goes as a warning to drivers that anything in a car that’s unsecured can be dangerous and can hurt you.

“The cups coffee is sold in would not manage to stay intact if an accident happened and impact occurred.

“I would strongly suggest that if drivers and passengers wish to consume hot drinks in their cars then they should use a flask.”

A spokeswoman from McDonalds said: “The temperatures of our hot beverages range from 60-85 degrees, dependent on the type of drink and its proportions of hot water and milk.

“The safety of our customers and employees is our first priority and all of our restuarant crew are trained to serve hot drinks in a safe manner, with lids firmly secured.

“The cups used for our hot beverages all carry a warning that the contents will be hot.”

Police Scotland said a 41-year-old man had been charged with driving offences and would appear at court on a later date.