Yesterday was walking back from vets in Bread Street.
Going down West Port I noticed an (even) older person fall over near L'Etoile tea bar. They came down backwards and a younger guy ran over to help. I went over and could see it was pretty bad as poor woman had cracked back of head and was bleeding.
Within minutes someone had brought a towel to support her head which was facing downhill towards Grassmarket. Her feet were on road and we couldn't safely move. Ambulance had been called and people from overlooking tenements started to appear.
A young woman with some first aid experience took over and she talked to woman to check she wasn't slipping into unconsciousness.
One person thought she was doing too much verbal 'stimulation'. I had no idea but holding her hand and telling her help was on the way seemed the kindest thing.
Of course by then the traffic was backing up as half the road was blocked. A car pulled up and an off duty nurse came over. A young woman cyclist came by pushing her bike. Local guy with terrier voiced what he thought should happen. Woman in dressing gown came down to tell me that 'people are always getting knocked down here' - although this wasn't one of them.
By now it was 15 minutes gone.
Lothian No 2 bus going down hill then stops and the driver leans out to say "What's her name? Police are looking for someone - I'll just radio in."
At 20 mins suddenly two young guys arrive in T shirts and shorts with backsacks and facemasks on and go straight to her.
Young woman that has been chatting to NHS while waiting for ambulance tells them 'she's in control and doesn't need help'. At this they present Police Scotland IDs as they are kneeling down to assess the casualty. "Stand back please. Yes, we are equipped and trained."
Obviously an 'on foot' team operating in Grassmarket.
Interestingly I was only person wearing a mask (apart from police) as was close up to strangers.
An old town drama - ambulance siren could be heard as I walked back home.
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