Decapitated pensioner named after horror Edinburgh bus fall

The pensioner who was decapitated after being hit by a bus in Edinburgh has been named by police.

Michael Leneghan, 74, was struck by the vehicle in the city’s busy Cowgate area on Saturday at 7.25pm.

The 74-year-old, who came from Edinburgh, suffered from catastrophic injuries following the crash.

He fell on the busy street which was packed with late night bars and nightclubs. A large cordon was set up in the aftermath.

His family has now released a statement, which said: “We wish to thank all the members of the public and emergency services involved.

“We would now ask for privacy at this time.”

Sergeant Paul Ewing, of the Police Scotland’s road policing unit in Edinburgh, said: “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.”

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He asked anyone with information to come forward and contact the police via the number 101.

Initial reports circulating on social media over the weekend claimed a “severed head” had been found in the city’s Old Town, causing widespread speculation and concern.

However, authorities later clarified that the fatality resulted from a collision between a pedestrian and a single-decker bus.

Local pubs and restaurants were evacuated, with forensic tents erected at the scene as investigators worked to establish the full circumstances of the incident.

Several roads, including Blair Street, Guthrie Street, and Candlemaker Row, were closed to traffic.

Police reassured the community that this was an isolated incident with no risk to the wider public.

Katie McLaughlin, a 31-year-old from Dumfries, recounted her experience at Bannerman’s Bar in the Cowgate.

She told the Daily Record: “He said police were outside and a severed head had been found in the Cowgate. I almost laughed because it’s Halloween weekend and I thought it was a prank.”