Pupils searching for ball found dead body

PUPILS at Liberton High School discovered a dead body in woods next to the playing fields on their lunch break.

Liberton High School today. Picture: Greg Macvean

The teenagers, who were playing games, found the man as they searched for their ball in a wooded area on Tuesday afternoon.

Police were called to the scene on Gilmerton Road around 1.30pm and cordoned it off, while pupils were summoned to an emergency assembly.

MORE:Police probe after body found at Liberton HighThe death of the man is currently being treated as unexplained by police, however he is understood to have been homeless.

After the body was removed, forensic investigators scoured the site alongside detectives, searching for clues as to what may have happened.

A witness, who had been working nearby when the body was discovered, said: “It was during the school’s lunchtime the body was found.

“I saw a group of kids playing what looked like rugby on the park.

“The next thing the ball went into the trees at the side, and a couple of the players ran to retrieve it. I just saw them coming out of the bushes, and I saw a woman running across the field with what looked like a first aid box.

“Almost immediately after going into the trees, I saw her coming back out. The next thing, the police were here.”

Pupils were released from school at their usual time and were diverted away from the scene by police.

Local councillor Nick Cook said: “It’s tragic to hear of the loss of a life and that a body has been found.

“It was very upsetting for the pupils to find something like that on their own school grounds.

“It’s unfortunate this incident has happened at Liberton High School. It is no reflection on the school itself.”

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “A man’s body was discovered in a wooded area at Liberton High School.

“It was reported around 1.30pm on Tuesday, August 30. The death is being treated as unexplained and inquiries to establish the full circumstances are at an early stage.”

A city council spokesman said: “At lunchtime today staff were alerted to the discovery of a body in the wooded area of the school grounds.

“Emergency services were called and Police Scotland are carrying out inquiries.

“We are not aware that this matter relates in any way to the school.”