Residents living close to the scene of a fatal multi-car crash near Edinburgh Airport have described scenes of "mayhem" in the aftermath of the incident.

Vehicles were said to be "strewn across two lanes" following the crash involving a grey Mercedes A250, a black Renault Captur, a grey Skoda Karoq and a grey Hyundai i30 on the A8 Glasgow Road at about 09:25 on Monday.

A 58-year-old woman, who was driving the Hyundai, died at the scene.

Police Scotland have since launched a search for two women and a man thought to have fled the Mercedes into a nearby field on foot afterwards.

Officers deployed a helicopter and a dog unit as part of the operation.

Four other people were taken to hospital for treatment after the crash but were later released.

The road was closed for almost 10 hours before reopening at about 19:05.

Tom Brumfitt, who lives in one of the small row of cottages by the side of the road, said he heard "loud bangs" as he lay in bed when the collision happened.

Brumfitt, 69, said a man screaming "help" and "shouting for his mum" ran past the window a short time later, but it was unclear how he was involved in the crash.

He said: "It was just mayhem. It was the worst scenario I had seen outside for a long time.

"There was an almighty bang, a van partly on its side and then someone running past shouting 'help, help, help'.

"By the time I had got out, they had gone. The helicopter was over us later on, obviously looking for the people involved."

Christine Yule, 75, said her son, who has special needs, had just left their house in a taxi.

She said she was "frantic" with worry before seeing him walking with the taxi driver on the opposite side of the road.

She said he was "really upset" by the crash but was otherwise unharmed.

Police Scotland have launched an appeal for information.

The Scottish Ambulance Service said it had dispatched three ambulances, two special operations response teams, a paramedic response unit and a critical care paramedic.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service also attended the incident.

Paul Dow said he was in his house working when he heard "several large crashes and bangs" as the collision took place.

He said he opened his front door to see smashed vehicles scattered across the eastbound and westbound carriageways after being told about the incident by a neighbour.

Dow, 49, said it was "not unusual" for there to be crashes on that stretch of road, however, it was clear this one was far more severe.

"Most of the crashes here are fairly simple nose to tails, nothing too serious," he said.

"But it was quite apparent there was going to be a fatality in this one and it's horrific that people would consider driving the way they did on this road.

He added: "It's fairly traumatic."

Insp Thomas Mallinson said: "My thoughts are with the family of the person who died at this incredibly difficult time.

"Our inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of this crash, and it is vital we trace the three people who left the area before police arrived."