Michael Leneghan, 74, died after being struck by a single-decker bus in Edinburgh, Scotland’s Cowgate district, on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at approximately 7:25 p.m., according to Police Scotland.
The incident occurred in a heavily trafficked part of the city, particularly crowded due to Halloween celebrations. Witnesses stated that Leneghan, a pedestrian, fell onto the roadway, where he was subsequently struck by the bus. Unfortunately, he was decapitated after falling under the wheel arch, a horrifying detail that led to graphic images circulating online, which the police urged the public to stop sharing out of respect for his family.
In a statement released through Police Scotland, the family said, “We wish to thank all the members of the public and emergency services involved. We would now ask for privacy at this time.”
Safety advocates have been concerned about the area where the collision occurred. The Cowgate has been described as a “hostile and dangerous” street for pedestrians, featuring heavy traffic flow and narrow pavements. Local campaigners have previously pushed for traffic restrictions in the area, allowing access to buses, cars, taxis, and heavy goods vehicles until a 10 p.m. curfew.
This tragic incident is not isolated; in 2019, another fatal accident occurred in the same area, where a man was struck and killed by a bus, leading police to close off the street and cordon surrounding areas during the investigation.
Sergeant Paul Ewing of Police Scotland’s road policing unit in Edinburgh stated, “Our thoughts remain with Michael’s family and friends, as well as everyone affected by this tragic incident. Our enquiries remain ongoing. We have already spoken to a number of people who were in the area at the time, and work is ongoing to check public and private CCTV footage.”
Following the collision, nearby bars, nightclubs, and student residences in the Cowgate area were ordered to close and were cordoned off by police to facilitate the investigation and ensure public safety.
The decision to close these venues was prompted by the sensitive nature of the accident and the risk of public exposure to disturbing scenes, including what witnesses described as graphic images of the aftermath. Many people had inadvertently encountered the scene due to its proximity to popular nightlife spots and distressing images, including a report of a severed head.
Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward with information about the collision. They have spoken with multiple witnesses who were present at the time.