Edinburgh worker left 'shaken' by 'speeding BMW' driver after alleged hit and run

A Midlothian motorist has claimed a BMW driver crashed into them before fleeing the scene.

Ross Fairgrieve, from Bilston, says that he was driving to work on Monday, July 1, at around 9.10am when a BMW allegedly sped round a corner and crashed into his car.

The 30-year-old claims that a woman, who was mid-late 30’s with light brown hair, got out of her black BMW following the crash.

READ MORE: West Lothian police arrest and charge man, 30, following fatal motorbike crash

READ MORE: Edinburgh man told 'prepare for prison' after police make horrific find in raid

But after Ross handed over his insurance details he alleges she returned to her car and fled the Polton Bank scene at speed.

The Edinburgh City Council housing manager says that he was so shaken by the incident that he was unable to record the vehicle’s registration plate.

Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

As a result, he could be left forking out £400 to cover his excess with insurance.

“I was driving up Polton Brae towards Lasswade and I was about to turn the corner near number 19 when a black BMW came hurtling round the corner at a very fast speed,” he said. “I tried to steer to avoid it, as the car was way over on my side of the road.

“It hit my car and caused a lot of damage. I got out and the lady from the other car, who was mid-late 30’s, with light brown/fair hair, got out and we chatted a bit.

“I asked if she was insured and I said I was. I went back to get my details and asked her to get her own but she got in her car and drove off at speed.

“I was so shocked that I didn’t get the registration plate. I spoke to the local pub, the Mason’s Arms, and they have a picture of the BMW going past a street in Loanhead near the crossroads but you can’t see the registration plate.”

Ross says that the crash has also impacted his mental health, with the council worker suffering from a flare up of his anxiety.

Not only this but it has also led to difficulties in getting to work.

Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox

“It has impacted me because it has flared my anxiety and has caused a lot of disruption to my work this week and likely next week whilst I deal with the logistics of a claim when the other driver has driven away,” he added. “It will cost at least £400 which is a large amount of money.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We received a report of a hit and run incident which happened around 9.15am Monday July 1 2023 on Polton Bank in Midlothian."