Truth behind ‘severed head’ in UK metropolis centre which emptied pubs as forensic cops swooped

Residents of a major UK city received a shock on Saturday night (November 2) after a witnesses reported seeing a ‘severed head’ on the street.

Photographs shared online and wild theories flooded in. Several comments left on the force’s Facebook page claimed the images of the alleged incident were “gruesome” and “horrific”.

Police swarmed the area in central Edinburgh and forced pubs and restaurants to evacuate as they assessed the situation. Dozens of officers were called to the Cowgate just after 8pm following claims that the “severed head” was found in a nearby road.

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However, Police Scotland have now shared the truth about the ‘gruesome’ discovery. What was thought to be the scene of a harrowing crime turned out to be a road traffic incident, where a pedestrian had been hit by a car in a serious collision at about 7.30pm.

At the scene, forensic officers set up two separate tents.

Katie McLaughlin, from Dumfries, had been in Bannerman’s Bar in the Cowgate when she and her friends were locked in after around 8pm.

The 31-year-old told the Daily Record: “We were in Bannermans having a drink and went to leave but a member of the staff stopped us. 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. We went to the bar where the staff said, no, it’s real.”

Another nervous eyewitness said: “Police just appeared and started putting tape up. Whatever it is, it looks pretty serious. There doesn’t look to be any cars inside the cordon anyway.”

Blair Street, Guthrie Street and Candlemaker Road remain closed off.

Several surrounding night time venues have been ordered to close to allow police investigations to take place. A number of bars and nightclubs were due to host Halloween-themed events.

A statement from Bachata Blues Edinburgh read: “Following police instructions, all Cowgate venues are going to be closed tonight due to a major incident. All ways to enter Cowgate are cut off. Unfortunately, we have to cancel tonight’s event as Mash House will remain closed all night, following police instructions. We will be back soon & hope to reschedule our night as soon as possible!”

An official Police Scotland statement following the false alarm read: “Officers in Edinburgh are currently dealing with a serious road traffic collision in the Cowgate area of the city.

“Shortly after 7.30pm on Saturday, November 2, we responded to reports of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle. Enquiries are ongoing. Blair Street, Guthrie Street and Candlemaker Row are currently closed, and members of the public are asked to avoid the area until further notice.”

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