A quiet afternoon at Minto Mall in Gorebridge turned to tragedy when a routine exit from the car park resulted in the death of a 78-year-old man. The community of Midlothian is reeling from the shocking incident that occurred on Tuesday afternoon.
Emergency services rushed to the scene after reports that a vehicle had become trapped by a malfunctioning security barrier. Despite the rapid response from Scottish Fire and Rescue and the Scottish Ambulance Service, the elderly driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
What Exactly Happened?
According to eyewitness accounts and preliminary investigations, the automatic barrier system failed to open as the gentleman attempted to leave the shopping centre car park. The mechanism reportedly descended onto the vehicle, trapping the driver inside and creating a terrifying scene for shoppers and staff.
One distressed witness described the moment: "We heard shouting and then saw people running toward the car park exit. The barrier had come down and wouldn't budge. People were trying to lift it manually but it was too heavy."
Emergency Response and Investigation
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they deployed multiple units to the incident. A spokesperson stated: "We received a call at 3.23pm and immediately dispatched resources to Minto Mall. Our crews worked tirelessly to gain access to the vehicle and provide assistance."
Police Scotland has launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic event. Detective Inspector Mark Henderson commented: "This is a devastating incident and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased. We are working closely with the Health and Safety Executive to determine the exact cause of this tragedy."
Community in Mourning
The tight-knit community of Gorebridge has been left shaken by the event at their local shopping centre. Minto Mall serves as a vital hub for the area, making the incident particularly distressing for regular visitors and staff.
Local councillor Kelly Parry expressed her condolences: "This is absolutely heartbreaking news. Our community is in shock and our first thoughts are with the family of the gentleman who has so tragically lost his life."
The shopping centre management has temporarily closed the car park while investigations continue and has offered counseling services to staff and witnesses affected by the traumatic event.
