Teen charged after lollipop man hit by car

A TEENAGE driver has been charged after a lollipop man was knocked down at a pedestrian crossing as children waited to cross the road.

The crossing guide, who is in his 50s and said to be one of the most experienced in the city, had stepped out on to Colinton Road near George Watson's College when the accident happened.

No children were on the road at the time of the accident, at around 8.15am yesterday, and the man's injuries are not believed to be serious.

Gareth Edwards, headmaster of George Watson's, is understood to have escorted pupils safely across the road while a staff member directed traffic away from the collision.

Police said an 18-year-old man was later charged with careless driving.

A local resident said: "I was running by after it happened and saw the man being looked after on the road by parents.

"There were no children hurt but there were children everywhere at that time going to school.

"I was quite impressed that people were stopping traffic and helping the injured lollipop man, making sure he didn't move until the ambulance came."

Fiona MacFarlane, travel plan co-ordinator at Watson's directed traffic away from the accident until police arrived.

"It was one of the busiest times of the day there and all that was required was for traffic to be directed around the block so cars didn't have to travel on the wrong side of the road to avoid the accident," she said.

"We are very concerned for the injured man's wellbeing and hope he gets better soon.

"He is very popular with the children and they are all keen to see him back."

A city council spokeswoman said: "This was one of our long-standing, experienced lollipop men, who was wearing high-visibility jacket.

"The accident happened on a pelican crossing in a 20mph zone. Thankfully, the member of staff escaped with only minor injuries."

A police spokesman confirmed that an investigation was under way.

He said: "It would seem that he hit his head off the windscreen of the car. He's not been seriously injured, but he has been taken to the ERI."

It is not the first time a crossing guide has been injured in the line of duty in Edinburgh. Margaret Montgomery was taken to hospital after being hit in front of pupils and parents on McDonald Road in November 2007 but returned to work within months.