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BBC NEWS | UK | Scotland | Edinburgh and East | Falling road cone injures student

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Police said the victim is being treated for spinal injuries

A student is in a serious condition in hospital in Edinburgh after being hit on the head by a falling traffic cone.

Police believe the cone was dropped from George IV Bridge onto Merchant Street, where 23-year-old Kate Flannery, from Galway, was walking.

She is being treated for spinal injuries at the city's Western General Hospital.

Ms Flannery was injured at about 0340 GMT on Sunday. Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Stable condition

A spokesman said the victim was in a "serious but not life-threatening" condition. Ms Flannery's family has travelled to Edinburgh to be at her bedside.

A spokesman for NHS Lothian confirmed that Ms Flannery was in a stable condition in hospital.

Lothian and Borders Police appealed for anyone with information to contact them.

"Our inquiries are still at an early stage and we are still trying to establish if this was a random incident or a prank that went wrong," said a spokesman.

"They might not have realised the consequences of their actions, but if they come forward now it will obviously be better for them."