Falling scaffolding traps woman

The scaffolding collapsed at about 0830 GMT

A woman has sustained leg injuries after she was trapped by falling scaffolding in Edinburgh's west end.

Fire crews used airbags to raise the structure and free the woman, who was taken to the city's Royal Infirmary.

The 28-year-old was walking along Palmerston Place near Haymarket at about 0830 GMT on Tuesday when the scaffolding collapsed.

AAA Scaffolding Ltd said it was "absolutely devastated by the freak accident".

Two ambulances were sent to the scene when the collapse occurred, along with a special operations response team and an ambulance control unit.

The road was closed while investigations took place

An ambulance spokesman said: "We got numerous 999 calls reporting a scaffolding collapse just opposite St Mary's Cathedral.

"We subsequently found that one female was trapped and she was conscious.

"She was stabilised at the scene before being taken to the Royal Infirmary, where she arrived at about 0930 GMT."

The woman was being treated for her injuries, which were not considered life-threatening.

The emergency services believe greater numbers of casualties were averted because streets were deserted for the holidays.

She was screaming 'I can't breathe, I can't breathe' Josephine Kay Eyewitness

Eyewitness Josephine Kay said: "I heard this awful grinding metal noise and a gust of wind and the next minute the scaffolding just came away from the wall, down like a pack of cards.

"We started to lift planks and all the metal bars and she was screaming 'I can't breathe, I can't breathe'.

"One of the poles was really pushing her into the road."

The road remained closed as the Health and Safety Executive began investigations at the site.

AAA Scaffolding said it had removed neighbouring scaffolding from the site last week at the end of refurbishment work.

Checks of other scaffolding sites across the capital were taking place amid concern over further strong winds.