9am Briefing: Family tells of grief after girl killed on M8

FRIENDS and family of a teenage girl who was killed when she was struck by two vehicles on the M8 spoke today of their grief.

Elizabeth Coulter, of Whitburn, was walking with pal Liam Forbes to Livingston after a night out in Edinburgh when she was hit by a minibus on the eastbound carriageway.

The 19-year-old was thrown across onto the opposite carriageway and was hit again by a Fiat Punto. Police believe other motorists may have struck her body without realising.

Today Liam spoke of his horror at witnessing the accident, In a message to Elizabeth's sister Louise on Facebook, he said: "I can't believe it. I was so close, if only I'd grabbed her".

One driver told the Evening News of how he swerved to avoid the tragic teenager after she had been hit by the minibus and the car.

He said: "I was driving along westwards when the car in front seemed to hit something. It was pitch dark so I only knew about it because the car's tail-lights seemed to jump up into the air a little. I thought the car had hit a fox or a dog.

"When my lights caught it, I realised it was a person's body and managed to swerve round it. The driver behind me also struck her body and several lorries and other vehicles coming behind also ran over her.

"I pulled up to the side of the road, as did other drivers who had been in front and behind me. The other drivers who stopped where all shocked by what had happened.

Security breach at airport

PASSENGERS had to be evacuated from the city's airport following a security breach early this morning.

Commuters and families leaving for their holidays were ordered to leave the arrival and departure lounges and were taken to the main check-in area around 5.45am.

They were then evacuated from the terminal building as security officers investigated the cause of the incident, which is thought to have been a false alarm.

A spokesman for BAA Edinburgh said: "There was a security incident this morning around 5.45am that caused the evacuation of the terminal.

"We are currently investigating the cause of the incident."

Waugh ponders assets saleLEADING Edinburgh businessman Kenny Waugh was today said to be considering selling some of his assets to plug a 9 million deficit.

His Festival Group owns some of the Capital's best known bars, including the Three Sisters in the Cowgate and Biddy Mulligan's in the Grassmarket, as well as the Murrayfield Hotel.

Financial reports reveal multi-million pound losses during the recession.

Mr Waugh is now in talks with banks over potential restructuring to make sure the firm can cover its liabilities.

Skinner pulls out

COMEDIAN Frank Skinner is reported to have pulled out of the Assembly Rooms' Talk Show the day before the first performance.

It is claimed that the comedian cited bad organisation which left too many gaps in the schedule, and that he pulled out of the entire run after a high-profile guest dropped out on Sunday.