Two men die in hit and runs in Edinburgh and Girvan - BBC News

29 July 2012 Last updated at 08:11 ET

Two people have died following separate hit and runs in Edinburgh and Ayrshire.

Police in the capital have appealed for witnesses after a man in his 30s suffered fatal injuries when he was struck by a car in Ocean Drive in Leith at about 02:00.

It is understood he had been lying in a bus lane when he was run over.

In another incident Ian Brown, 48, was found dead after being struck as he walked home from a night out in Girvan in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Lothian and Borders Police said the car involved in the hit and run in Edinburgh suffered damage to its underside and was leaking engine coolant as it fled the scene.

Officers were keen to trace a silver Vauxhall Astra hatchback, possibly three-door.

'Badly damaged'

The victim was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where he later died from his injuries.

A force spokesman said: "This has been a horrific accident which has resulted in the death of a man.

"We are keen to trace the driver and the vehicle involved. It is clear that the car was badly damaged and that damage will be obvious to anyone who uses it. "

After the incident a trail of engine coolant led from the scene to the corner of Ocean Drive and Commercial Street where a passing driver saw a car, which was heading eastwards, stopped with its bonnet raised.

The spokesman added: "We are appealing for anyone who recognises this car to come forward.

"In particular, we would like to hear from any service stations or other outlets who may have sold water or engine coolant to the driver of a silver hatchback in the early hours of this morning."

Kebab shop

The hit and run in Girvan happened at 03:05 on the B748 Dailly to Girvan Road on Saturday.

Police said the victim, Mr Brown, had been making his way home from Girvan Bowling Club.

It is thought he left a local kebab shop about midnight. Officers were keen to trace his movements before the accident.

Sgt Jackie Dunbar, from Strathclyde Police, said: "Mr Brown was walking home to Dailly after a night out with friends at Girvan Bowling Club when it appears he was hit by a vehicle.

"He left a local kebab shop at around midnight to begin his walk home. I'm keen to find out exactly what happened over the next three hours.

"I would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time to contact police."