Bus driver injured after crash with tram near airport

A bus driver has been taken to hospital after his vehicle was involved in a crash with a bus near Edinburgh Airport.

The bus struck the tram causing it to derail. It happened on Eastfield Avenue at around 5:30pm this evening (Wednesday).

The driver and ticket conductor from the tram were treated at the scene by paramedics and their injuries are not serious, while the six passengers on board are not believed to have been injured.

There were no passengers on the bus, which is used to transport passengers between the long-stay airport car parks and the terminal building.

The bus driver has been taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment. The extent of his injuries is not known.

Tram services in the area were disrupted following the incident, with services from the city centre terminating at Gyle Centre a few stops before the airport.

A spokesperson for Edinburgh Trams said: “Following the recent road traffic accident, our services will continue to operate between York Place and Gyle Centre for the remainder of this evening.

“Early investigations would suggest a bus struck the side of a tram causing it to de-rail. We continue to work closely with Police Scotland on their investigation and have offered our full co-operation.

“We will be working with our maintainers throughout the night to recover our vehicle as quickly and as safely as possible.

“We aim to provide an update at 4am on tomorrow’s services."

Police are investigating the crash and asked anyone who was in the area at the time and saw the incident to contact Police Scotland via 101.

Edinburgh Airport tweeted that there was a build up of traffic in the area following the incident.

An Edinburgh Airport spokesman said: We can confirm an airport bus was involved in a collision with a tram. Emergency services are currently on scene dealing with the incident and we will assist them throughout.'