Police appeal for witnesses as three Buddhist monks die in car crash

• The men died after a head-on collision on A68

• Another passenger suffered internal injuries while another freed herself from car

Medics and firefighters rushed to the scene of a two-car collision on the A68 just south of Pathhead after receiving an emergency call just before 7.40am.

They discovered one of the vehicles - a Nissan Note - had ended up on its roof after colliding with a Skoda Octavia.

The female driver of the Nissan had managed to get out of the vehicle but three other male occupants, who the Evening News understands were Buddhist monks, were found to be dead. Their identities have not yet been released by police.

A fourth man was freed from the car by firefighters using cutting gear.

He and the driver were rushed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and treated for internal injuries, which are not thought to be life-threatening.

The occupants of the Skoda were reported to have escaped injury, although the male driver was checked over in hospital.

A stretch of the A68 is currently closed while police carry out investigations and local diversions are in place.

Police officers in the Borders have issued an appeal for witnesses.

Inspector Simon Bradshaw said: “This is a tragic incident, and we are currently in the process of carrying out inquiries in order to establish the full circumstances of the collision.

“At this time I am appealing to anyone who noticed the gold coloured Nissan Note or the silver Skoda Octavia on the A68 this morning, to get in touch.

“Anyone with information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0800 555 111.”

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue said: “It was a horrendous collision.”