'I was hospitalised by a flying cone under Edinburgh bridge'
'My mate heard the noise and turned round and the cone was right next to me, so someone had clearly thrown it off the George IV bridge.
Read More:
'There are loads of cones around there for the Pride parade, someone's just thrown one off and it's cracked me in the head.
'The security in Dropkicks put the gloves on and helped me out, got me some water, and then Street Assist and the police arrived and helped clean me up, the police took statements and then my sister came and picked me up and took me to the Royal Infirmary because the ambulance was going to be eight hours or something.
'I've got staples in my head and I'm getting scans because I can't really turn my head, my neck is completely jiggered.
'I can't work with it, which is kind of an issue.
"I'm going to have a five-six centimetre gash across the top of my head, a scar.
'I don't know what my neck is going to be like long-term but I can't hold my head up so I'm sitting on the couch all day with my head resting.
'The four things I do are walk the dog, go to the gym, play golf and then go to work and at the minute I can't do any of them. It's a nightmare, but it could have been a lot worse.
'I'm 6ft 1in, I'm quite big, I think if it was anyone smaller or more frail it would have been a lot worse.'
George IV bridge in Edinburgh (Image: Wikimedia) In November 2006 Australian national Andrew Smith threw a cone off the bridge which struck Irish student Kate Flannery, leaving her with a fractured skull and three broken vertebrae as well as damage to her spinal cord, which left her arms and legs paralysed for several months.
Following widespread media coverage and appeals by police, he turned himself in and was ordered to carry out community service having shown "genuine remorse".
In 2011 an appeal for witnesses was put out after a 10kg bag of sand was hurled from the bridge, and in the same year a student was fined £500 for throwing a cone off the bridge.
Mr Ward though says he has struggled to get answers from police about their investigations, with no media appeal issued and no update given to him.
He said: "I haven't heard from them.
'I've asked them twice for updates and they haven't got back in touch. I phoned them on Sunday because they wanted to know an exact time for the incident and I obviously didn't really know what was going on at the time but I went back and checked my FitBit and got the exact time of the impact from that.
'I phoned to let them know and they said the person who would be investigating it isn't on until next week. So I sent a big email in on Sunday night to ask if I could be updated by someone to know if they'd been looking at CCTV to find who did it and I've not heard anything back.
"I've spoken to two people who used to run a bar on that bridge and they've told the police that something should be done, a netting or something, because it's happening quite a lot.
'There's been a few times where people have thrown stuff but it's not actually hit anyone, but a couple of times people have been hit and it's been more severe than mine, thankfully, was.'
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Around 1.40am on Saturday, 21 June, 2025, we were called to the Merchant Street area of Edinburgh following a report of a man injured from an item thrown from a bridge.
'Emergency services attended and the man was later taken to hospital.
'Enquiries are ongoing into the circumstances of this incident and anyone with information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 0367 of 21 June, 2025.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
9 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Kneecap rapper gets Irish translator at terror hearing despite speaking English
A Kneecap rapper who can speak English used an Irish interpreter when he appeared in court for allegedly supporting a proscribed terror organisation. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig in November last year. Hundreds of Kneecap supporters waving flags and holding banners gathered outside Westminster magistrates' court as the rapper arrived on Wednesday. The Metropolitan Police has imposed conditions limiting where the demonstration outside the court can take place to 'prevent serious disruption'. In response, the rap group described this move as a 'calculated political decision' that was 'designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome'. The group asked supporters to 'go out of your way to be compliant with all instructions issued, irrespective of how pitiful'. Ó hAnnaidh, who arrived at court alongside fellow bandmates Naoise Ó Cairealláin and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, was swamped by photographers outside. The rapper, who performs in both English and Irish, was granted the use of an Irish interpreter as previously requested. Ó hAnnaidh's defence team are seeking to have the case thrown out, citing a technical error in the way the charge against him was brought. Brenda Campbell KC told the court the case should be dismissed because the Attorney General's consent was not obtained by the CPS before charges were laid against Ó hAnnaidh. Michael Bisgrove, prosecuting, rejected this, arguing that the Terrorism Act allows charges to be laid against an individual before any approach is made to the Attorney General, if necessary, to obtain his consent. He further argued that such consent from the Attorney General was not required under the legislation. Hundreds of supporters greeted the Kneecap rapper with cheers as he made his way from a silver people-carrier to the building. Fans held signs that read 'Free Mo Chara', while others waved Palestinian and Irish flags before the rapper arrived at court. A chant of 'free, free, Mo Chara' could also be heard over a megaphone, which was repeated by the crowd. Susan Folan, Ó hAnnaidh's interpreter, said she provided him with both a verbatim translation and occasional clarification, as required. The singer left the court building to a hero's welcome from the large crowd. Speaking briefly from the impromptu stage, he thanked them for their support, adding: 'While we're here, genocide is taking place in Palestine. Free Palestine!' A man was detained by police outside the court because of a placard he was holding. Surrounded by officers, he told reporters his hand-made sign made no reference to any proscribed organisations. The court previously heard the 27-year-old defendant was 'well within his rights' to voice his opinions on the Israel-Palestine conflict, but the alleged incident at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, was a 'wholly different thing'. Ó hAnnaidh was released on unconditional bail to return to court on Sept 26, when Judge Paul Goldspring will hand down his ruling. He is yet to enter a plea to the charge.
Scottish Sun
11 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Kneecap rapper mobbed by supporters as he appears in court over ‘Hezbollah flag' terror charge
Controversial performer has vowed to defend himself RAPPER IN DOCK Kneecap rapper mobbed by supporters as he appears in court over 'Hezbollah flag' terror charge Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A KNEECAP rapper was mobbed by supporters as he appeared in court charged with a terror offence. Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is accused of supporting a proscribed terror organisation. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Liam Og O hAnnaidh was pictured arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court today Credit: Reuters 6 A crowd of supporters had gathered outside the court Credit: PA 6 O hAnnaidh was swamped as he went outside Credit: PA The 27-year-old allegedly displayed a Hezbollah flag at a gig in London. He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address when appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court today. The court heard three hours of legal arguments, with the performer listening to proceedings through an Irish language interpreter. O hAnnaidh was supported by his bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh. He was released on conditional bail until September 26. Crowds of supporters had gathered outside to show their support for the performer. Fans held signs which read "Free Mo Chara" while others waved Palestine and Irish flags. O hAnnaidh is accused of displaying the flag during a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, North London, in November. Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove previously told the court: "It's not about Mr O hAnnaidh's support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel. "He's well within his rights to voice his opinions and solidarity, as is anybody else. "The allegation in this case is a wholly different thing and deals with a video recording showing that, in November of last year, Mr O hAnnaidh wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organisation, while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. "Of course, support for the one is not the same as support for the other. "So the issue in this case, and the reason it has come to court, it centres on the apparent support by Mr O hAnnaidh of a proscribed terrorist organisation." In a statement following his charge, Kneecap said: "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves." O hAnnaidh and fellow band members Naoise O Caireallain and J J O Dochartaigh were greeted by loud cheers and chants of "Free Palestine" at a previous court appearance. The Metropolitan Police imposed conditions limiting where a planned demonstration outside the court could take place today. In response, the rap group described this move as a "calculated political decision" that was "designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome". Kneecap have courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and merchandise in the past. The group, which was formed in 2017, displayed messages about the war in Gaza during their set at US music festival Coachella in April. A criminal probe was also launched into comments made my the group during their performance at Glastonbury in June. The investigation was later dropped after the Crown Prosecution Service chose to take no further action. 6 The mob gathered outside Westminster Magistrates' Court Credit: PA 6 A woman joined the throng of Kneecap fans Credit: PA
Rhyl Journal
15 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Kneecap rapper faces month-long wait over whether terror charge is thrown out
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was once again greeted by hundreds of fans as he arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday for a three-hour hearing. Prosecutors allege the 27-year-old displayed a flag in support of proscribed terror organisation Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, in November last year. During Wednesday's hearing, his defence team argued the case should be thrown out, citing a technical error in the way the charge against him was brought. Brenda Campbell KC told the court the Attorney General had not given permission for the case to be brought against the defendant when police informed him he was to face a terror charge on May 21. She said consent was given the following day, but that meant the charge falls outside of the six-month time frame in which criminal charges against a defendant can be brought. Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said permission was not required until the defendant's first court appearance and that permission did not need to be sought in order to bring a criminal charge. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring adjourned the case until September 26, when he will rule on whether he has the jurisdiction to try the case. Hundreds of Kneecap supporters waving flags and holding banners greeted O hAnnaidh as he arrived at court alongside fellow bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh. Demonstrations in support of the rapper were organised outside the court building in London, as well as in Dublin. The Metropolitan Police imposed conditions limiting where the demonstration outside the court could take place, saying they were needed to 'prevent serious disruption'. A man was detained by police outside the court building because of a placard he was holding following the hearing. Surrounded by officers, he told reporters his hand-made sign made no reference to any proscribed organisations. O hAnnaidh was swamped by photographers as he arrived, with security officers taking more than a minute to usher him into the court building. Supporters greeted the Kneecap rapper with cheers as he made his way from a silver people carrier to the building. Fans held signs which read 'Free Mo Chara' while others waved Palestine and Irish flags before the rapper's arrival at court. Chants of 'Free, free, Mo Chara' could also be heard over a megaphone, which was repeated by the crowd. Mr O Caireallain and Mr O Dochartaigh sat at the back of the courtroom with three others as O hAnnaidh confirmed his name, date of birth and address to the court at the start of the hearing. In response to the Met imposing conditions on the protest, Kneecap described the move as a 'calculated political decision' that was 'designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome'. The court previously heard the 27-year-old defendant is 'well within his rights' to voice his opinions on the Israel-Palestine conflict, but the alleged incident at the O2 Forum was a 'wholly different thing'. O hAnnaidh, of Belfast, is yet to enter a plea to the charge and is on unconditional bail.
