This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25165894

The article has changed 22 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Glasgow helicopter crash: 'Three dead' at Clutha pub Glasgow helicopter crash: Eight dead at Clutha pub
(about 2 hours later)
Three people have died after a police helicopter crashed into a busy pub in Glasgow, the BBC understands. Eight people are now confirmed to have died after a police helicopter crashed into a busy pub in Glasgow city centre.
Police Scotland have confirmed one death but said they expected the final number of fatalities would be higher. A rescue operation is continuing. Three people inside the helicopter and five people inside The Clutha were killed after the Police Scotland aircraft came down at 22:30 on Friday.
The crash happened at The Clutha in Stockwell Street at 22:25 on Friday. A further 14 people are being treated for "very serious injuries" in hospitals across the city.
There were three people on board the helicopter - two officers and a civilian pilot. Thirty-two people have been taken to local hospitals. A major investigation is under way and the Air Accidents Investigations Branch will conduct an inquiry into the crash.
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond told a press conference it was a "black day for Scotland." The three occupants of the helicopter were two police officers and a civilian pilot.
Chief Constable Sir Stephen House said: "Our thoughts and condolences are very much with the families of those who have died and those who have been injured in this tragic incident.
"We are working alongside our emergency services colleagues in the ongoing rescue operation. I would like to take this opportunity to praise the people of Glasgow who helped in the very early stages following the incident and commend their courage.
"We are dealing with a very sensitive and complex operation and we expect that emergency services will be at the scene for some time."
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond earlier described it as a "black day for Scotland."
Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute to the bravery of the "ordinary Glaswegians" who rushed to help.Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute to the bravery of the "ordinary Glaswegians" who rushed to help.
Chief Constable Sir Stephen House confirmed that one person had died and further fatalities were expected after the helicopter crashed on to the roof of the pub. The Queen has said her thoughts and prayers are with the victims of crash.
He said they "can't say definitively" whether there are people still trapped within the pub, and added "we are still in a search and recovery phase".
Chief Constable House went on: "This is a very difficult and sensitive operation. The scene is, as you will understand, a particularly challenging one.
"Given the damage caused and the nature of the damage, it will take some time to complete the search of the building and to assess how we begin the investigation.
"Clearly the safety of those conducting the search is of the highest importance."
Mr Salmond said: "This is a black day for Glasgow and Scotland but it is also St Andrew's Day and we can take pride in how we respond to adversity.Mr Salmond said: "This is a black day for Glasgow and Scotland but it is also St Andrew's Day and we can take pride in how we respond to adversity.
"The response from our emergency services and citizens has been exemplary.""The response from our emergency services and citizens has been exemplary."
It has been reported that about 120 people were in the pub at the time of the crash. Many were rescued or escaped but others were trapped by a collapse on the left-hand side of the building. It is thought about 120 people were in the pub at the time of the crash. Many were rescued or escaped but others were trapped by a collapse on the left-hand side of the building.
Emergency services have erected barriers around the scene and specialist rescue teams remain at the scene.Emergency services have erected barriers around the scene and specialist rescue teams remain at the scene.
Speaking from the press conference at the multi-agency command centre in Glasgow, Fire Scotland deputy chief officer Alex Clark said: "Along with our emergency service colleagues, we responded very, very quickly and pulled out all the measures that we possibly could in order to rescue people who were affected by this incident. Speaking earlier from the multi-agency command centre in Glasgow, Gary Hardacre, who is leading the Scottish Ambulance Service response, said: "All of our thoughts and condolences are with those that have been affected by this tragic incident.
"I can assure you that until such time as there is an inevitable outcome we will undoubtedly remain on site and carry on our rescue activities in the best way that we possibly can."
Gary Hardacre, who is leading the Scottish Ambulance Service response, said: "All of our thoughts and condolences are with those that have been affected by this tragic incident.
"We have been working with our partners in the police and fire service to ensure a joined-up response, and provide the best possible care that we can for the people affected by this.""We have been working with our partners in the police and fire service to ensure a joined-up response, and provide the best possible care that we can for the people affected by this."
William Byrne, 45, from Coatbridge, who was in the pub when the helicopter came down, returned to the scene this morning.William Byrne, 45, from Coatbridge, who was in the pub when the helicopter came down, returned to the scene this morning.
"There was a loud bang. Then there was dust and the lights went out. It was surreal," he told BBC Scotland."There was a loud bang. Then there was dust and the lights went out. It was surreal," he told BBC Scotland.
'We didn't know what had happened. At our side of the pub at least two people were trapped under the gantry. Myself and others lifted it up and managed to get them out. I spent some time with one injured man." "We didn't know what had happened. At our side of the pub at least two people were trapped under the gantry. Myself and others lifted it up and managed to get them out. I spent some time with one injured man."
He added: "At our side of the pub I would say there were less than 10 people injured, mainly walking wounded, not seriously injured. One girl had clearly been hit on the head - she had a big bump.He added: "At our side of the pub I would say there were less than 10 people injured, mainly walking wounded, not seriously injured. One girl had clearly been hit on the head - she had a big bump.
"The other side of the pub took the brunt. Myself and my friends managed to get out without a scratch. Everyone helped everyone else to get out.""The other side of the pub took the brunt. Myself and my friends managed to get out without a scratch. Everyone helped everyone else to get out."
Helicopter operator Bond Air Services said it was working with the police and emergency services.Helicopter operator Bond Air Services said it was working with the police and emergency services.
A statement added: "Our thoughts are with those who have been affected by this tragic incident."A statement added: "Our thoughts are with those who have been affected by this tragic incident."
About 250 people attended a special service at St Andrew's Cathedral on Saturday afternoon.About 250 people attended a special service at St Andrew's Cathedral on Saturday afternoon.
Archbishop Philip Tartaglia told worshipers: "We pray for those who have lost their lives, who are injured, the bereaved, and the emergency services and members of the public.Archbishop Philip Tartaglia told worshipers: "We pray for those who have lost their lives, who are injured, the bereaved, and the emergency services and members of the public.
"We pray for our city of Glasgow, which is in mourning today.""We pray for our city of Glasgow, which is in mourning today."
Jim Murphy, the Labour MP for East Renfrewshire, was in the area at the time of the helicopter crash and said he ran into the pub to help before emergency services arrived.Jim Murphy, the Labour MP for East Renfrewshire, was in the area at the time of the helicopter crash and said he ran into the pub to help before emergency services arrived.
He told the BBC there was "pandemonium" as people tried to get out of the pub.He told the BBC there was "pandemonium" as people tried to get out of the pub.
"It was almost like slow motion," he said, adding: "People just formed a bit of human chain, side by side with each other, to help pull injured people out.""It was almost like slow motion," he said, adding: "People just formed a bit of human chain, side by side with each other, to help pull injured people out."
The shadow cabinet minister, who had blood on his shirt which he said was not his, described what he saw as a "horrific scene".The shadow cabinet minister, who had blood on his shirt which he said was not his, described what he saw as a "horrific scene".
The band who were playing in the pub at the time of the crash, Esperanza, have released a statement on their Facebook page.The band who were playing in the pub at the time of the crash, Esperanza, have released a statement on their Facebook page.
Bassist Jess wrote: "Waking up and realising that it is all definitely horribly real. Despite the situation everyone was so helpful and caring of each other.Bassist Jess wrote: "Waking up and realising that it is all definitely horribly real. Despite the situation everyone was so helpful and caring of each other.
"The police, ambulances, firefighters all did a stellar job and continue to do so today in extremely difficult conditions.""The police, ambulances, firefighters all did a stellar job and continue to do so today in extremely difficult conditions."
Eyewitness Fraser Gibson, 34, was inside the pub with his brother to see his former band, Esperanza.Eyewitness Fraser Gibson, 34, was inside the pub with his brother to see his former band, Esperanza.
"Midway through their set it sounded like a giant explosion," he told BBC Scotland."Midway through their set it sounded like a giant explosion," he told BBC Scotland.
"Part of the room was covered in dust. We didn't know what had happened. We froze for a second; there was panic and then people trying to get out the door.""Part of the room was covered in dust. We didn't know what had happened. We froze for a second; there was panic and then people trying to get out the door."
Mr Gibson added: "I would say there was maybe 120 people inside the pub. A lot of people managed to get out straight away, but it was hard to tell how many were actually trapped in the other half of the bar."Mr Gibson added: "I would say there was maybe 120 people inside the pub. A lot of people managed to get out straight away, but it was hard to tell how many were actually trapped in the other half of the bar."
He said there had been no indication a helicopter had caused the devastation, adding: "The roof had just totally collapsed.He said there had been no indication a helicopter had caused the devastation, adding: "The roof had just totally collapsed.
"There were shards of wood sticking out the top but nothing that said there had been a helicopter crash.""There were shards of wood sticking out the top but nothing that said there had been a helicopter crash."
Eddie Waltham, a former firefighter who had a friend inside the pub, told the BBC: "A roof joist came down and hit him and pushed him towards the window which is at the left side of the left door."Eddie Waltham, a former firefighter who had a friend inside the pub, told the BBC: "A roof joist came down and hit him and pushed him towards the window which is at the left side of the left door."
He added later: "My own reaction was to run straight up to the pub.He added later: "My own reaction was to run straight up to the pub.
"It was amazing to watch just how people were trying so hard to get into this building.""It was amazing to watch just how people were trying so hard to get into this building."
John McGarrigle has spent the night at the scene and said he feared his father had been in the pub at the time of the crash: "I've checked every hospital and there's no sign of him. I'm very anxious." John McGarrigle spent the night at the scene and said he feared his father had been in the pub at the time of the crash: "I've checked every hospital and there's no sign of him. I'm very anxious."
Gordon Matheson, the leader of Glasgow City Council, said his heart went out to the families affected.Gordon Matheson, the leader of Glasgow City Council, said his heart went out to the families affected.
He also praised the response of ordinary people in the area before the emergency services arrived.He also praised the response of ordinary people in the area before the emergency services arrived.
Mr Matheson said: "People who were in the pub, the people who were in the streets and who just helped out their fellow human beings who were out having a good time.Mr Matheson said: "People who were in the pub, the people who were in the streets and who just helped out their fellow human beings who were out having a good time.
"It's Glasgow at its best you know, if people are in need the spontaneous response is to go to their help. And I want to pay great tribute to that and I'm very proud as leader of the city that that was the reaction. It doesn't surprise me.""It's Glasgow at its best you know, if people are in need the spontaneous response is to go to their help. And I want to pay great tribute to that and I'm very proud as leader of the city that that was the reaction. It doesn't surprise me."
Prime Minister David Cameron said: "This is a tragic event and our deepest sympathies are with the families and friends who lost a loved one last night.Prime Minister David Cameron said: "This is a tragic event and our deepest sympathies are with the families and friends who lost a loved one last night.
"I want to thank the emergency services who worked tirelessly throughout the night and I also want pay tribute to the bravery of the ordinary Glaswegians who rushed to help."I want to thank the emergency services who worked tirelessly throughout the night and I also want pay tribute to the bravery of the ordinary Glaswegians who rushed to help.
"We have offered the Scottish government our support in any way we can and we are all wishing a speedy recovery to those who are injured.""We have offered the Scottish government our support in any way we can and we are all wishing a speedy recovery to those who are injured."
Labour leader Ed Miliband described the crash as an "unimaginable horror".Labour leader Ed Miliband described the crash as an "unimaginable horror".
He added: "I know there will be lots of people worried about their loved ones who are unaccounted for and my thoughts are with them and also with the people of Glasgow who are an incredibly strong people, who showed, I think last night, in their reaction when the helicopter hit, a great bravery, a great courage, great calm in the midst of all this." He added: "My thoughts are with... the people of Glasgow who are an incredibly strong people, who showed, I think last night, in their reaction when the helicopter hit, a great bravery, a great courage, great calm in the midst of all this."
In 2002, a police Eurocopter EC-135 came down in a field in Ayrshire. All three people on board survived.In 2002, a police Eurocopter EC-135 came down in a field in Ayrshire. All three people on board survived.
In 1990, a police sergeant was killed when a Bell Jet 206 helicopter crashed in bad weather at Newton Mearns in East Renfrewshire.In 1990, a police sergeant was killed when a Bell Jet 206 helicopter crashed in bad weather at Newton Mearns in East Renfrewshire.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions