Capt Jenna Wilcox died from her injuries in hospital

A US air force officer who was on holiday in Scotland has died after a car tyre she was holding exploded.

Capt Jenna Wilcox, 27, was on a break with her husband when the accident happened in Dalkeith, Midlothian, on Saturday.

She died at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh on Thursday, five days after she sustained the injuries.

Capt Wilcox was holding the car tyre inside the vehicle, because it would not fit in the boot, when it exploded.

It is thought the couple had changed the tyre on the BMW Z3, after noticing a bulge in it, but that Capt Wilcox was holding it because the boot was full of luggage.

It is not known what caused the tyre to blow up.

'Tragic accident'

Her 27-year-old husband suffered minor injuries in the explosion, which happened in Edinburgh Road, Dalkeith, at about 1800 GMT on Saturday 27 March.

Capt Wilcox was from Glenwood in New York State. She had been based in the UK since September 2008.

Capt Wilcox, was a member of the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron, based at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk.

Her husband Scott is also a captain in the air force with 48th Civil Engineer Squadron. He is based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.

The couple had driven to Scotland in their own car.

Col Chad Manske, 100th Air Refueling Wing commander, said: "We are deeply saddened by this tragedy.

"Jenna was a valued member of our team and her untimely death touches all the personnel at the surrounding bases.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family, friends and co-workers during this difficult time."

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: "Inquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of explosion, however this would appear to have been a tragic accident.

"A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course."