An 11-year-old schoolboy has died after a crash involving a bin lorry in Edinburgh this morning.
The boy was riding a bicycle on Whitehouse Road when the collision happened at about 8.20am on Friday (March 1), police said.
He was pronounced dead at the scene near the junction with Braehead Road, said police. His next of kin have been made aware.
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Tributes have been paid to the boy, who was described as an "always smiling" and "friendly" pupil at Cramond Primary School.
Head teacher Helen Donaldson said: “We are utterly devastated by the tragic news of the sudden death of one our pupils. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.
"He was always smiling. He was a positive, friendly and curious member of our school community. He was kind and always eager to support others, and will be greatly missed by all of us.”
Edinburgh education convenor Councillor Joan Griffiths expressed her "heartfelt sympathies" to the school community.
She said: “I am absolutely devastated to hear this tragic news and my immediate thoughts are with the pupil’s family, friends and classmates.
"My heartfelt sympathies go out to the whole school community and anyone who has been affected by what has happened. We will be providing support to pupils and all the staff at the school.”
Police are investigating the incident and have called for any witnesses or people with dashcam footage to come forward.
Inspector Andrew Thomson, of Police Scotland’s road policing unit, said: “Our thoughts are very much with the boy’s family and friends at this time.
“Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and I would urge anyone who may have information which has not yet been passed to police to get in touch.
“I would also be keen to speak to anyone who may have dashcam or private CCTV footage from the area.
“Specially trained officers are supporting the family at this time."
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Police Scotland by calling 101, quoting incident 0578 of March 1, 2024.
Drivers were urged to avoid the area after the crash closed the road for several hours.
The driver of the bin lorry was uninjured, police said.
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