A MAN impaled his neck on metal spikes in a horrific accident which left an upmarket city street spattered with blood.
Lawyers and accountants described a scene resembling a horror movie as they turned up for work today in Atholl Crescent in Edinburgh’s smart West End.
The 32-year-old victim was stabbed in the neck after apparently slipping and falling on to a 3ft-high spear-shaped railing.
Pools, streaks and spatters of blood revealed how the victim had freed himself before trying to get help at three different doors in the street.
The victim was today being treated in hospital, where his condition is not known.
The incident happened outside Gillespie and MacAndrew- a leading property and tax firm – shortly after 11pm on Thursday night.
Residents and office staff who work in the plush offices surrounding the incident reacted with shock to the gruesome scene.
Disgusting
Surveyor Anthony Bennett, 33, said he initially thought that somebody had been stabbed when he saw the blood.
He added: “These are all lawyer’s offices. He would have to have fallen from a decent height if he’s injured himself on a railing. One of my colleagues saw the scene and there were forensic officers dressed all in white taking pictures of the blood.”
Another resident who did not wish to be named said: “The guy must have been fallen when he was drunk.”
Engineer Dean Thomson, 21, said: “This shouldn’t be happening in the city centre, there are tourists here walking by- It’s disgusting. There’s too much drug abuse in the city centre and too many drunks.
Apprentice floor layer Scott Penman, 17, said: “It’s quite a posh area but there are quite a lot of pubs and clubs nearby.”
At around 10.30 today, an Edinburgh City Council worker washed away the man’s blood from the pavement- thought to have been 2-3 pints.
The building the man was found in front of is 4 stories high and the first floor of the building has a metal balcony.
The entire street is lined with the black metal railings.
A police spokesman said: “Lothian and Borders Police responded toAtholl Crescentat around 11.10pm on Thursday 10th November following reports that a 32-year-old man has suffered a neck injury after being impaled on a metal railing.
He added: “The man was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where he is currently being treated for neck injuries.”
The spokesman added: “Enquiries are ongoing into the circumstances surrounding this incident and anyone with information that can assist officers is asked to come forward.”
