Boy hurt by falling branch in playground at Edinburgh school

The area has been cordoned off

A primary school pupil is in hospital after being hit by a tree in the school playground.

The boy is believed to have been struck by a branch during a lunch break at Trinity Primary School in Newhaven Road on Wednesday.

The P2 pupil's injuries are not yet known, but are not thought to be life-threatening.

City of Edinburgh Council has cordoned off the area and is now checking trees in the wider school grounds.

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman confirmed: "We received a call at 13:18 hours on Wednesday 19 September to attend an incident on Newhaven Rd in Edinburgh.

"We dispatched one ambulance to the scene and we transported one child patient to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh."

Checks are now being made at the school and parents were sent an email from headteacher Jacqueline Scott on Thursday to reassure them.

It said: "It is believed that a branch from a tree knocked the pupil to the ground which resulted in injury. He is currently being treated in hospital.

"In line with council procedures a risk assessment had been carried out by senior members of staff and the playground was deemed safe before the children went out. Following the accident children were immediately brought into the building and the area cordoned off."

It continued; "Facilities management and senior education officials have been informed. We are currently awaiting an inspection of trees in the playground and until this is undertaken the decision has been made to keep children away from tree areas and inside during breaks."

Councillor Ian Perry of the education, children and families committee, said: "Due to yesterday's high winds a P2 pupil at Trinity Primary was injured by a branch falling from a tree.

"We're currently inspecting trees in the playground and have cordoned the area off.

"Pupils are also being kept inside during break times."

• How Scotland was hit by Storm Ali

He added: "The health and safety of all our school community is a priority. We're in touch with the family and I would like to wish the pupil a full and speedy recovery."

The incident happened as Storm Ali hit many parts of Scotland with gusts of wind in excess of 90mph.

Masonry fell from buildings in the capital and rail services were suspended as trees and other debris blocked lines.

About 5,000 homes were still without electricity on Wednesday.