Mourners line Morningside Road to pay tribute to 3-year-old boy killed in crash

Xander Irvine died after he was hit by a car which mounted the pavement

Author: John CallanPublished 9th Jul 2020

Mourners have lined a busy Edinburgh street to pay tribute to a young boy who died following a crash.

Xander Irvine was out walking with his mum last Tuesday afternoon when they were hit by a car which mounted the pavement on Morningside Road, outside the St Columba's Hospice charity shop.

The 3-year-old was taken to hospital but later died from his injuries, while his mother has since been discharged.

The driver, a 91-year-old woman, was unhurt.

This morning local residents paid their respects as the funeral procession drove by, before the toddler was laid to rest.

Local florist Quate & Co handed out 400 roses to those who had gathered at the roadside.

Viv Quate from the firm told Forth News: "I just wanted to shower Xander with love and share with the community and the family their grief at this sad time.

"It's been a lovely send-off for him and the family.

"I just felt within my heart I needed to do something and I thought why not line the streets with red roses, share the love and show that everybody's thinking of the family.

"Morningside and Bruntsfield is a very close-knit family community, and everyone you speak to has been affected."

Tributes were paid to Xander in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday afternoon, with Greens co-leader Alison Johnstone telling MSPs he will "never be forgotten''.

In an emotional statement, she said: "I'm sure that this Parliament will wish to send its sincerest sympathies to the family and friends of three-year-old Xander Irvine, whose funeral took place in Edinburgh this morning.

"The huge number of people who turned out on Morningside roads to pay their respects is testament to the love the community has for Xander and his family.

"He will never be forgotten.''

In response, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "None of us, I don't think, in this chamber can come close to understanding the heartbreak and devastation that his parents are suffering right now.

"I saw on social media pictures of people lining the streets for his funeral this morning and I just think all of us really struggle to find the words to convey the sense of sympathy we feel for everybody who loved the little boy, and I'm sure the thoughts of everybody across the chamber are with his family today and for a long time to come.''

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