Bin lorry driver killed after being crushed by his own truck

The 58-year-old man was pinned against a wall after the vehicle started rolling across the road at South Queensferry, Edinburgh

Tragic: A bin lorry driver was killed after being hit by his own truck

A bin lorry driver has died after being crushed by his own truck when he tried to stop it rolling out of a car park.

The 58-year-old man was pinned against a wall after the vehicle started rolling across the road at South Queensferry, Edinburgh.

The lorry, owned by waste services company Biffa, mounted the pavement, hit a car and then smashed through railing before it eventually ended up hanging off Hawes Pier.

Staff at the nearby Hawes Inn rushed to help the driver before emergency services attended the scene at 1.15pm yesterday.

The man, who has not been formally named, was rushed to hospital where he sadly died from his injuries.

Councillor Norman Work, who represents Edinburgh's Almond ward, said: "It's a tragic accident. It appears that the driver was trying to prevent the accident from happening.

"It's tragic but could have been a lot worse. We are grateful no one else was injured, because it's a very busy area round the whole promenade.

"Obviously our thoughts go out to the family of the driver."

A spokeswoman for the Hawes Inn said: "Our team helped out as much as they could in the moments after the accident happened and contacted the emergency services.

"We are fully cooperating with the police investigation and our thoughts are very much with the driver's family." Police in Edinburgh are now appealing for witnesses of the tragic accident to come forward.

Sergeant Brian Smith, of Police Scotland's Edinburgh Road Policing Unit, said: "This tragic accident happened as the driver tried to stop his lorry from rolling out of the car park of the Hawes Inn.

"He was crushed against the wall by the lorry, which then hit a parked Jaguar car before rolling across the road and mounting the pavement, demolishing a bench and fencing before it came to rest hanging over the edge of the pier.

"Although this is a busy road, with a number of pedestrians in the area at the time, fortunately no one else was injured.

"We are carrying out a full investigation and I am appealing for any witnesses who have not already spoken to us, to call Police Scotland on 101."