Police forensic officers search the area in Willowbrae. (Picture: Cameron McHenry)

Police Scotland have today launched a murder hunt after a man aged 25 who was found in the street died in hospital.

The murder inquiry is being led by Detective Superintendent Gary Flannigan, of the Major Investigation Team of the Specialist Crime Division of Police Scotland.

D.S. Flannigan told reporters:- “The first officers on the scene responded to reports of a road traffic accident in Abercorn Crescent. When they arrived they found a man outside the vehicle suffering from serious injuries. He was rushed to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he died soon after arrival.

“A blue VW Sharan people carrier had crashed into railings on Abercorn Crescent and is extensively damaged.

“Around an hour later, in nearby Paisley Crescent, another man was found bleeding heavily from injuries. He was taken to hospital where he is receiving treatment for injuries which are not life-threatening.

“We have every reason to believe there was a series of related incidents involving two groups of black men who do not appear to be local to this area of Edinburgh. Some of those involved may be seeking refuge and lying low. I would urge anyone who has information about any such individual or anyone who has unexplained injuries to let us know.”

A number of streets in the area remained closed on Sunday night.

Chief Inspector Mark Patterson of the Edinburgh Division of Police Scotland said:- “I would like to reassure the public that incidents of this nature are extremely rare in Edinburgh.

“Additional policing resources are being made available and there will be extra patrols in the area to provide reassurance to the local community.”

The Police have urged anyone who was in the area at the time or seen any vehicles being driven erratically to call them on the non emergency number 101

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