Student hit by Edinburgh traffic cone remains in serious condition

An Irish woman injured in Scotland when a traffic cone fell on her head remains in a serious condition in hospital.

An Irish woman injured in Scotland when a traffic cone fell on her head remains in a serious condition in hospital.

Kate Flannery (23) sustained serious spinal injuries when a traffic cone was thrown from a bridge in the centre of Edinburgh in the early hours of Sunday morning, hitting her on the head.

The cone was dropped 12m (40ft) from the George IV bridge on to Merchant Street, where the student was walking home from a nightclub with friends shortly after 3.30am. She was rushed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and later transferred to Western General Hospital, where her condition is being monitored in a specialist spinal unit.

The National Health Service said she was in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

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Ms Flannery, who is from Beechcourt, Salthill in Galway, is studying occupational therapy in Edinburgh.

Members of her family travelled to the city yesterday to be with her.

Lothian and Borders Police are conducting an inquiry into the incident and have appealed for witnesses. They said yesterday the incident may have been a prank that went wrong and have called on those involved to come forward.

The scene was sealed off for technical examination following the incident and patrons of nearby pubs and clubs were interviewed. Officers are also examining CCTV footage of the area.

Insp Brian Stuart of Lothian and Borders Police said they were taking the matter very seriously.

Fiona Gartland

Fiona Gartland

Fiona Gartland is a crime writer and former Irish Times journalist