A fatal collision on the A8 motorway near Edinburgh Airport has prompted a major police investigation into a hit-and-run incident involving multiple vehicles. The crash, which occurred between the Newbridge and Gogar roundabouts at approximately 09:25 on Tuesday, claimed the life of a 58-year-old driver and left four others requiring hospital treatment.
Officers responded to reports of a multi-vehicle collision involving a grey Mercedes A250, a black Renault Captur, a grey Skoda Karoq and a grey Hyundai i30. The driver of the Hyundai i30 was pronounced dead at the scene despite the rapid arrival of emergency services. Three occupants of the Mercedes fled the scene on foot before police arrived, and investigators are now treating their whereabouts as a priority.
Four additional people involved in the crash were transported to hospital for medical assessment and observation but were subsequently discharged.
Investigation underway
Inspector Thomas Mallinson outlined the scale of the police response and the urgency of locating the missing individuals.
My thoughts are with the family of the person who died at this incredibly difficult time. Our inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of this crash, and it is vital we trace the three people who left the area before police arrived.He appealed to members of the public who may have witnessed the incident or have relevant information to come forward.
The response to the incident demonstrated the seriousness with which emergency services treated the situation. The Scottish Ambulance Service deployed substantial resources, including three ambulances, two special operations response teams, a paramedic response unit and a critical care paramedic to manage casualties and provide immediate medical intervention.
Search and recovery efforts
Police Scotland mobilised additional specialist resources to locate the three suspects who left the scene. A police helicopter was deployed to conduct aerial searches of the surrounding area, while a dog unit was brought in to assist ground-level tracking efforts. These measures reflected the determination to identify and apprehend those involved in the incident.
The A8 between the Newbridge and Gogar roundabouts was closed to traffic for several hours to permit a thorough forensic and collision investigation. The road was reopened to the public at 19:05, allowing normal traffic flow to resume after the scene had been fully examined and documented.
What happens next
Police Scotland is continuing to appeal for witnesses and information from the public. Anyone who was in the area at the time of the collision, observed the vehicles involved, or has dashcam footage is urged to contact Police Scotland with details that may assist the ongoing investigation.
