Locals ‘scared’ following discovery of man’s head in Edinburgh – as tributes flood in

Horrified eyewitnesses close to a scene where a man’s ‘severed head’ was reportedly found have revealed their terror over the shocking incident.

Tributes have been flooding in following the incident in Cowgate, Edinburgh, out of respect for a man who died after being hit by a single-decker bus, according to police. A report from The Mail has claimed that the severed head and the bus incident may have been related, although these links have not been confirmed by authorities.

Police confirmed that on Saturday (November 2) a 74-year-old pensioner was killed in the smash at around 7.30pm. Distressing images, seen by The Daily Star, have shown what appears to be a human head laying in the road before a group of Halloween revellers walk by and appear to think it is a prop.

Following the incident, emergency services swarmed the area, closing roads and turfing people out of pubs. Witnesses have reported how Cowgate’s usually jubilant atmosphere was instead quiet and tense.

Restaurant owner Roy told the Edinburgh Evening News there was a strong presence of blue lights, and added, “Half a dozen police cars were blocking Cowgate. I felt scared under the strong blue light and sure something really bad must have happened. I did stop a while but couldn’t see anything so I left”.

Meanwhile, tributes and messages have been left for the man.

One person said: “This man’s poor family. Heartbreaking. Condolences to his family and all who knew him.”

The police have refused to comment on the claims made by the Mail that the man fell into the wheel arch of a bus. The Daily Star contacted Police Scotland for details about the claim but was told no such information was available to press.