Police helicopter crashes into roof of Glasgow pub

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/nov/29/helicopter-crashes-roof-glasgow-pub

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A major rescue operation is underway in central Glasgow after a police helicopter crashed on to the roof of a pub where a music concert was taking place.

Initial reports suggested there were multiple injuries among Friday night revellers as a result of the incident shortly before 11pm at the Clutha pub, a bar close to the city's commercial district.

Jim Murphy, a Labour frontbench MP who was in the area at the time, said that members of the public formed a human chain to help get people out of the building.

Describing the aftermath of the incident as a "horrible scene", he added that dozens of fire officers as well as police were in the area and had moved members of the public back from the area shortly afterwards.

"It seems like a helicopter crashed into the roof of this very busy pub. I was passing and just got out of my car to try to help people."

He added: "What I saw was a pile of people clambering out of the pub, dust everywhere. People were covered in multiple injuries."

The MP added that the owner of the pub had said that come of his customers were still trapped inside.

"It's a major incident and looks like multiple injuries among Glasgow Friday night revellers."

Pictures which emerged on Twitter shortly after the incident showed emergency services gathered around the bar, with the remains of what appeared to be a helicopter visible on the roof.

The Police Roll of Honour Trust tweeted "Our thoughts are with the crew of policescotland SP99 helicopter that has crashed in Glasgow - hoping everyone is alright."

Wesley Shearer, a local man who said that he was attending the gig along with his mother, tweeted a picture of the scene outside of the bar, adding: "This is unbelievable. Just spent 20 minutes pulling people out the bar. Apparently a helicopter crashed on the roof."

Minutes earlier, Shearer had tweeted: "Holy fucking shit. The roof in The Clutha Bar just collapsed mid gig. People have been caught under it, injuries + smoke everywhere. Fuck."

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service said: "I can confirm that we have people at the scene. It is obviously a major incident. There are numerous fire engines there; 15 fire engines at the moment along with specialist services.

"I cannot confirm if there have been any injuries."

Gordon Smart, editor of the Sun's Scottish edition, told Sky News: "I was in a car park and looked up and saw a helicopter which I think was a police helicopter.

"It was just such a surreal moment. It looked like it was dropping from a great height at a great speed. I'm about 80% sure that it was a police helicopter.

"There was no fire ball and I did not hear an explosion. It fell like a stone. The engine seemed to be spluttering."

Deputy first minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "Absolutely awful news about a helicopter crashing into the Clutha. All my thoughts are with everyone involved & the emergency services".

Claire Morris, who lives near the Clutha bar, told BBC News: "We heard this bang. We didn't really know what had happened and then we heard people coming out and screaming.

"I wasn't sure whether there had been an explosion. My daughter said to me it was a helicopter that had hit the roof.

"Police are everywhere. We are just very shaken."

Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "My thoughts are with everyone affected by the helicopter crash in Glasgow - and the emergency services working tonight."

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