The A8 near Edinburgh Airport will close this weekend as police continue to investigate the death of a pub boss in a crash last month. The closure will allow officers to carry out further investigatory work following the incident that killed Linda Patterson.
Crash details and victim
The incident happened on the A8 Glasgow Road, between Newbridge Roundabout and Gogar, at around 9.25am on Monday, September 7. Four vehicles were involved in the crash, including a grey Mercedes A250, a black Renault Captur, a grey Skoda Karoq and a grey Hyundai i30. Linda Patterson was driving the Hyundai when the incident happened.
Emergency services rushed to the scene but the 58-year-old from Boxburn was pronounced dead at the roadside. Four other people were taken to hospital with injuries following the crash. Images from the scene showed a lorry stopped on a grass verge and several other damaged vehicles, with some of the cars appearing to have overturned.
Closure details
This Saturday, the west-bound carriageway of the A8 will close between Edinburgh Airport and Newbridge Roundabout between 8am and 12pm. The closure will allow officers to conduct further investigatory work. Access to Edinburgh Airport will not be affected.
Court proceedings and tributes
Shola Richards, a 32-year-old man from Broxburn, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on September 9 in connection with Linda's death. He faces four charges including an allegation of causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of a road accident, and attempting to pervert the course of justice. A fourth charge relates to allegedly failing to provide police officers with the identity of a driver when required to do so.
Richards made no plea during the hearing. He was committed for further examination and remanded in custody and due to appear in court again within eight days. Two women, aged 23 and 19, were also charged by police but were released pending further enquiries so did not appear in court.
Linda's family paid tribute to her, describing her as a "beautiful soul" in a statement released via Police Scotland. The statement read: "Linda was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt and friend who brought so much love and joy to those who knew her. She had an amazing ability to always look on the positive side of life and was a great support and comfort to those she loved. She was a beautiful soul whose warmth and cheery sense of humour left their mark on everyone she knew. She will be greatly missed. We are devastated by her loss, but she will be forever in our hearts."
Investigation ongoing
Police officers, including specialist search teams with sniffer dogs, were seen at the scene as investigators worked to establish what happened. The A8 was closed for several hours while police carried out investigation work and vehicles involved were recovered. Police said their investigation remains ongoing and officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Road policing officers are continuing enquiries following a fatal road crash on the A8 near Newbridge, Edinburgh, which occurred on Monday, 7 September, 2026. Between 8am and 12pm on Saturday, 24 October, 2026, the west-bound carriageway of the A8 will be closed between Edinburgh Airport and Newbridge Roundabout to allow officers to conduct investigatory work. Access to Edinburgh Airport will be maintained during this time."
