A man who died from catastrophic injuries after being hit by a bus in Edinburgh died on a “hostile and dangerous” street, campaigners say.

Living Streets called for the area to be closed to traffic eight years ago after complaints that it was the worst in the city for pedestrians.

The 74-year-old man died after being hit by a single-decker bus in front of revelers on the busy street, lined with late-night bars and clubs on both sides, on Saturday night.

Police Scotland declined to comment further on the incident, despite several videos being shared on social media.

the force has repeatedly asked the public not to repost images or videos of the scene out of respect for the family of the deceased.

Images and videos purportedly showing graphic images of the scene quickly circulated on X.

Police Scotland confirmed that a road traffic accident had occurred in a now-deleted X post at around 7.30pm.

The force did not confirm that a man had died until 12.27pm on Sunday.

Several social media posts appeared to claim that Police Scotland’s account of events was false.

In its statement, Police Scotland asked users not to repost the images and to “report the images to the relevant social media platform”.

Dozens of responses challenging the police’s version can still be seen on the Edinburgh Police Regional X page.

The force declined to comment when BBC Scotland News asked for an update on the incident.

Ch Insp Trisha Clark said on Sunday: “We are aware of the videos and images circulating on social media that are causing distress to the family of the deceased and those who inadvertently view them.

“We ask the public not to share them out of respect for his family and to report them to the appropriate social media platform to prevent further circulation.

“There has been a lot of speculation and I would like to reassure the local community that this is an isolated incident and there is no risk to the general public.”

Meanwhile, BBC Scotland News can reveal that an audit carried out in Cowgate by Living Streets in June 2016 found that “heavy vehicle traffic” was the “biggest problem for pedestrians”.

One participant in a survey of the street described it as a “traffic dump”, while another called it “the worst street in Edinburgh to walk on”.

Group coordinator David Hunter said traffic on Cowgate had been a “known danger” for more than 20 years.

He said: “Our report on Cowgate eight years ago called it “Edinburgh’s worst street”. This is a danger known for more than 20 years, so traffic is prohibited until late at night.

“There have been some improvements (the 32km/h speed limit and double yellow lines), but with the traffic continuing at high speed and the pavements awful, it is still a really hostile and sometimes dangerous place for pedestrians.

“We should not jump to conclusions about the cause of the weekend’s horrific incident, but reducing traffic – or removing it entirely – from Cowgate must be a top priority for the council’s traffic plans for the town.”

Current regulations should prevent vehicles from circulating on the street after 10:00 p.m.

The area is also covered by the city’s 20 mph and low emissions zones.

However, buses, cars, taxis and heavy vehicles are allowed before curfew, as long as they meet emissions standards.

No Lothian bus services use the street.

The area is home to more than a dozen bars and several nightclubs, as well as hotels, hostels, restaurants and student accommodation.

It also provides access to other busy side streets leading to other hospitality venues.

But in certain sections the sidewalks are narrow and pedestrians frequently have to shorten the road to avoid large crowds.

On Saturday, it was even busier than usual due to the Halloween weekend, with many costumed revelers and crowds returning to the city center from Scotland’s international rugby match against Fiji at Murrayfield.

Police Scotland said the man was hit by the bus at around 7.25pm.

An extensive cordon was laid between the junction with Blackfriars Street and the turn off onto Guthrie Street.

Two forensic tents were set up and access was blocked in all directions.

Sheeting was placed on the railings of the North Bridge, which passes overhead, to prevent passersby from looking into the area.

Pubs and bars within the cordon were closed immediately after the incident, but those further up the road towards Grassmarket remained open.