Quick-thinking Edinburgh teen manages to rescue herself before getting help for pal

Edinburgh Live

2 days ago

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Two Edinburgh teenagers have relived the terrifying moment they were hospitalised in a horror crash.
Elise Kinnell, 17, and Holly Urquhart, 16, were passengers in a car on Linkfield Road, Musselburgh last Thursday when it suddenly did a 'full 360 spin' before ploughing into a parked tractor.
Quick-thinking Elise managed to free herself from the mangled wreckage before flagging down passing motorists to help Holly who was unconscious in the back seat.
Elise, from Niddrie, told Edinburgh Live: "I was out with two friends and we were coming along the road. As we got to the bend, I just went blank cause I knew something was going to happen. He went right into a fork thing, like a tractor, and my whole passenger door came in on me. The windscreen smashed on top of me and my window at the door came through.
"It happened within minutes because of the way the car spun. he whole car just did a whole 360 and that was us. By luck the engine turned off itself but there was no airbags so I was unprotected.
"By luck, I was still awake and aware of what had happened, so I took my seatbelt off and I flung myself out the driver's door. My friend was unconscious in the back. My Apple Watch had phoned the police, it was an SOS, because of the crash. I got out of the car, I was lying on the floor trying to wave people down as much as I could for help because I just didn't feel right."
While Elise was bravely trying to flag down help, Holly was lying passed out in the back seat. A hero passer-by eventually her pulled out of the crumpled car before she regained consciousness.
(Image: Supplied)
Holly said: "All I remember is me waking up on the pavement. The guy was standing a bit back and there was police, I think, around me, telling me to just lie down and stay still, this and that, making sure I was alright. I did not know a crash had even happened.
"My main priority was obviously - I'm not gonna lie to you, I was in like a lot of pain - but all I cared about was making sure my pal was alright."
Both girls were taken to hospital for treatment but thankfully escaped without serious injuries. Elise suffered bruises while Holly underwent scans for a concussion.
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Elise continued: "I was told I was very lucky that I didn't lose my life."
(Image: Supplied)
Now both girls are searching for the mystery man that helped them that night.
Elise said: "I just want to thank the man that helped us because if it wasn't for him, I don't know what state would be in. He went and he actually got into the car. The driver's door was open and there was no glass on the driver's side so he was able to get my friend that was unconscious and help her out.
"I waved so many people down and no one stopped for me and at that point I just didn't, I didn't know what was gonna happen. I thought I was going to die but the way the man came over to help, it just describes him as a person. He's been our lifesaver. If it wasn't for that man I'd have been dead.
"I thought that I was about to take my last breath, but by luck I was able to survive and I don't know what would have happened if it wasn't for that man who pulled over in the middle of the road."
Holly, from Prestonfield, said: "It means a lot because if he wasn't there, I don't know if I would be here. I got told if I wasn't pulled out, if the ambulance wasn't there and the police wasn't phoned, me and Elise would be dead."
Cara, Holly's mum, also praised the mystery good samaritan for coming to her daughter's aid. She said: "I want to thank him a lot because it's any parents' worst nightmare to get a phone call to say their kids in a car crash, but to know that someone was actually there to stop and take the time to help and make sure that they're OK, not everyone's gonna do that."
Holly and Elise are asking the man who helped them to reach out to them through Elise's sister's Facebook post, or by contacting Police Scotland.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'A 20-year-old man was charged in connection with crash which happened on Linkfield Road, Musselburgh.
"The incident happened around 12.45am on Thursday, 29 May, 2025 and involved a vehicle and a tractor.
"The man and two passengers in the vehicle were taken to hospital for treatment. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal."
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