Three people taken to hospital following crash on A72 near Innerleithen
Last updated 16th Oct 2026
Three people have been taken to hospital following a two-vehicle crash on the A72 near Innerleithen.
The road was closed for around four hours while emergency services responded to the incident, which unfolded late this morning (Friday).
The Scottish Ambulance Service confirmed one person was airlifted to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary while two others were taken to Borders General Hospital.
Meanwhile, the A72 is also facing what Scottish Borders Council is describing as "a prolonged road closure" between Blyth Bridge and Broughton following a crash involving three vehicles, around 12.15pm this afternoon.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “We received a call at 11.50pm to attend a road traffic collision on Pirn Road, Innerleithen.
"We dispatched three ambulances, two special operations response teams (SORT), a paramedic response unit (PRU), and an air ambulance with a critical care team to the scene.
"We transported two patients to Borders General Hospital and airlifted one patient to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.”
The back road between Innerleithen and Walkerburn, which had been closed due to forestry works, was reopened to help ease congestion, as motorists were advised to find alternative routes.
Borders Buses announced its X62 service between Edinburgh and Galashiels was suspended due to the disruption but it has since resumed.
According to FlightRadar24, the helicopter touched down near St Ronan's Primary School in Innerleithen around 11.35am.
It took off again just over two hours later, landing at the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh around 2pm.
One eyewitness said: “There is a serious road traffic collision between Walkerburn and Innerleithen. Currently four ambulances, four police vehicles in attendance, and air ambulance is on its way.
“The road is obviously closed to all traffic so Walkerburn is quite heavily congested with traffic trying to go around.”
Another added: "Back road is open as per police officer in Walkerburn, but she says it’s carnage as heavy vehicles they told not to go, have all went along. Best route via Stow they’re advising."
It's not the first time the main road between Peebles and Galashiels has been closed.
In November 2024, video footage captured scenes when a lorry left the road and overturned - leaving the vehicle appearing to hang precariously over the edge of a steep embankment.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "The A72 is closed between Innerleithen and Walkerburn following a two-vehicle crash which was reported around 11.55am on Friday.
"Emergency services are in attendance and members of the public are asked to avoid the area where possible at this time."
Meanwhile, the A702 is set to close between Biggar and Melbourne Crossroads for three nights at the start of next week for a programme of works to crack seal the road surface.
A diversion will be in operation between 7.30pm and 6am from October 19th to 21st.
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