Biker killed in crash seconds after failing to stop for police

A motorcyclist has died seconds after failing to stop for police in Edinburgh.

Two officers on routine patrol signalled to the biker to stop in the Seafield Road area of Leith at about 18:36 on Wednesday.

But a minute later the 40-year-old, who was travelling on a Yamaha YZF R6 motorcycle, was involved in a collision with a vehicle.

Police Scotland said he was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident, which happened on Salamander Street, at the junction with Bath Road.

The force said the driver of the vehicle, who was not injured, was arrested in connection with a road traffic offence and inquiries were ongoing.

Salamander Street was closed for around nine hours while investigations were carried out and fully reopened at 04:00.

The incident is being investigated by Scotland’s Police Investigation and Review Commissioner (Pirc) under the direction of the the Crown Office

Ch Supt Helen Harrison said: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who died, and we will continue to keep them updated on our investigation.

“Specialist crash investigators are working to establish the full circumstances of what happened and I’m appealing to anyone who saw the collision or was in the area and may have information which could be relevant, to come forward, external.”

She also urged drivers with dash cams to review their footage and bring anything of significance to the force’s attention.