A 19-year-old woman was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh after a collision with a tram, prompting road closures, service changes and a police appeal
The city of Edinburgh experienced a serious incident on Leith Walk when a 19-year-old woman was struck by a tram at about 08:50 on Sunday morning. Emergency services attended the scene close to the Scotmid Co-op, between Albert Street and Pilrig Street, where the pedestrian was treated on-site before being transported to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with injuries described as serious.
Authorities have confirmed that no other people were hurt in the collision. Local accounts that have not been officially verified suggest the woman may have been carrying bags of household rubbish as she was crossing the road when the incident occurred.
Following the impact, a substantial section of Leith Walk was sealed off while specialist teams worked at the scene. The carriageway remains closed between Crighton Place and Albert Street as officers conduct a thorough crash investigation. That cordon and the necessary emergency activity have compounded existing travel disruption in the city, with organisers and motorists already navigating road changes related to scheduled events.
Police Scotland has urged drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to avoid the area where possible to allow investigators and emergency personnel to complete their duties safely.
Details of the collision and immediate response
At around 08:50, emergency services were summoned to reports of a collision involving a tram and a pedestrian on Leith Walk. Crews rendered first aid at the scene before the injured woman was taken to hospital. A clear focus for responders has been both victim care and securing the site for the subsequent enquiries. Specialist road policing officers have been tasked with establishing the sequence of events, preserving evidence and speaking to anyone present at the time. While formal findings will follow, the priority for operational teams was to ensure public safety and the safe removal of the injured party to hospital.
Transport disruption and local impact
The closure of Leith Walk has had a notable effect on traffic flow and public transport in the surrounding area. Sections of the road remain inaccessible and traffic is being redirected onto alternative routes, increasing journey times for commuters and local residents. The disruption comes amid other planned road restrictions in the city, amplifying the inconvenience for road users. Businesses and pedestrians in the vicinity have also felt the impact: access to shops and properties has been limited while the scene is managed, and residents have been asked to follow guidance from staff and officers working on site.
Public transport adjustments
Services operated by Edinburgh Trams were reduced to a part-route service shortly after the incident, running only between Edinburgh Airport and St Andrew Square. The operator confirmed that there is ticket acceptance between St Andrew Square and Newhaven in both directions to ease passenger journeys, while apologising for the resulting inconvenience. Lothian Buses also altered its Leith Walk routes to avoid the affected area, implementing diversions to keep services moving. Passengers were advised to check live travel updates and to allow extra time for journeys as networks adjusted to the scene closure and subsequent traffic changes.
Investigation, appeals and how the public can help
Police Scotland has launched a formal inquiry to determine the full circumstances of the collision, with road policing officers gathering statements, reviewing available footage and examining the site. The investigation is described as ongoing, and officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have information but has not yet come forward. Sergeant Michael Thomson asked for help identifying witnesses and urged those with relevant details to contact police to assist with establishing an accurate timeline and cause of the incident.
Police appeal for witnesses
Investigators have appealed for people who were in the area at the time to check any dashcam or mobile phone footage that could assist the inquiry. Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1043 of Sunday, 24 May, 2026. The appeal extends to individuals who may have seen movements of pedestrians or trams shortly before or after 08:50, or who can provide details about the woman’s crossing. Officers stressed that even small pieces of information could prove vital to the ongoing enquiries.
Further steps and community support
As the investigation continues, authorities will work with transport operators and local partners to restore normal traffic patterns and minimise disruption. The community has been reminded to respect the cordons and to follow official updates from Police Scotland and transport providers. Offers of support or concerns from residents can be directed to the same contact channels, and anyone affected by the closure is encouraged to seek official travel advice until the scene has been fully cleared and reopened.
