Pedestrian hurt after taxi mounts pavement in Edinburgh

A pedestrian has been taken to hospital after being hit by a taxi in the centre of Edinburgh.

Pictures appear to show the cab had mounted the pavement and crashed into a building on the corner of North Castle Street and Queen Street.

Emergency services were called there at around 1pm today.

Firefighters used hydraulic cutting equipment to free two people trapped in the vehicle.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said the man was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, while paramedics were at the scene to assess the people in the taxi.

North Castle Street was closed between Queen Street and George Street while emergency services dealt with it.

Later, a Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Police in Edinburgh were called to North Castle Street, at the junction with Queen Street, around 1pm on Tuesday 20 August following a report of a collision involving a taxi and a pedestrian.

"The 59-year-old male pedestrian was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary with serious injuries.

"The 61-year-old male taxi driver and a female passenger have also been taken to hospital.

"Officers remain in attendance and North Castle Street is closed from George Street to Queen Street as inquiries continue to be conducted at the scene.

"Motorists are thanked for their cooperation and anyone who witnessed this, and has not yet spoken to officers, can contact Police Scotland via 101 and quote incident 1569 of 20 August."

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