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Glasgow mourns helicopter crash victims at cathedral service Glasgow mourns helicopter crash victims at cathedral service
(about 5 hours later)
Glaswegians have gathered to pay their respects to victims of the Clutha Vaults helicopter disaster in a memorial service at the city's cathedral.Glaswegians have gathered to pay their respects to victims of the Clutha Vaults helicopter disaster in a memorial service at the city's cathedral.
Representatives of Scotland's political parties, the emergency services and the NHS joined worshippers to pray for those killed and injured when the Police Scotland helicopter crashed through the roof of the packed bar by the banks of the river Clyde.Representatives of Scotland's political parties, the emergency services and the NHS joined worshippers to pray for those killed and injured when the Police Scotland helicopter crashed through the roof of the packed bar by the banks of the river Clyde.
Leading the service, Rev Dr Laurence Whitley paid tribute to the emergency services and members of the public who rushed to help trapped and wounded people inside the bar. Leading the service, the Rev Dr Laurence Whitley paid tribute to the emergency services and members of the public who rushed to help trapped and wounded people inside the bar.
He said: "When we do what is good and true and right, God is strengthened – he is able to bring his goodness to bear.He said: "When we do what is good and true and right, God is strengthened – he is able to bring his goodness to bear.
"At times like this we ask: 'When can we live without such pain and loss?' The church must answer that we do not know, but this first day of advent serves as a promise that this will come."At times like this we ask: 'When can we live without such pain and loss?' The church must answer that we do not know, but this first day of advent serves as a promise that this will come.
"We do not end this day in pain and loss. We stand defiant, and in our great and vibrant and irrepressible city we stand hand-in-hand to go forward into the light." "We do not end this day in pain and loss. We stand defiant, and in our great and vibrant and irrepressible city we stand hand in hand to go forward into the light."
The service included readings by the deputy first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, and justice secretary, Kenny MacAskill. Children lit eight candles in memory of those killed in the accident including the helicopter's pilot, two passengers and five people inside the Clutha Vaults. The service included readings by the deputy first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, and justice secretary, Kenny MacAskill. Children from the congregation lit eight candles in memory of those killed in the accident including the helicopter's pilot, two passengers and five people inside the Clutha Vaults.
Speaking outside the cathedral, Anas Sarwar, the Labour MP for Glasgow Central, said he had been impressed with the way Glaswegians had responded to the tragedy. Among the dead was Gary Arthur, 48, from the Paisley area. He had gone to the bar to enjoy a concert by the local ska band Esperanza.
He said: "These are difficult days for Glasgow, but we've seen people come together both in the initial response to the accident and in supporting each other and the emergency services. His daughter, Chloe, a footballer who has played for the Celtic and Scotland under-19s teams, paid tribute to her father on Twitter, saying: "RIP dad. you'll always mean the world to me, I promise to do you proud, I love you with all my heart."
"I thought it was a lovely ceremony with people of all faiths in attendance. The helicopter's pilot has been named by the BBC as 51-year-old David Traill. The police officer Kirsty Nelis, 36, is also thought to have been on board. The family of the Clutha Vaults regular John McGarrigle, 59, have said they believe he was killed in the crash.
The congregation sang hymns and listened as the Rev Ada MacLeod, assistant minister at the cathedral, spoke of the "wounded hearts" in the city and prayed for victims and their loved ones.
She said: "At a time when happy relaxation suddenly became anguish and sorrow, hear us as we pray for those carrying the great burden of injuries and loss.
"May they know that both city and nation are one with them as one caring family."
The service – in a Protestant cathedral, remembering victims from a pub known for its largely Celtic-supporting clientele – brought together people from a variety of backgrounds. It was followed by an open communion ceremony. Members of Glasgow's Asian community, including girls in headscarves, were also present.
Speaking outside the cathedral, Anas Sarwar, the Labour MP for Glasgow Central, said he had been impressed by the way Glaswegians had responded to the tragedy.
He said: "I thought it was a lovely ceremony with people of all faiths in attendance.
"These are difficult days for Glasgow, but we've seen people come together both in the initial response to the accident and in supporting each other and the emergency services.
"We have a saying in this city: people make Glasgow. We've seen that very clearly today.""We have a saying in this city: people make Glasgow. We've seen that very clearly today."
Sturgeon described the service as "emotional and poignant".
She added: "I love Glasgow. I live in Glasgow – it is my home.
"I'm sure in cities across the world, people would want to rally together when a tragedy like this strikes but Glasgow is renowned for its resilience, for coming together in times of adversity.
"We have seen, in the worst of circumstances, Glasgow at its best since this tragedy struck on Friday night – from people on the scene doing what they could, potentially putting their own lives in danger to help others, through to the health service workers who turned up on duty even when they weren't on shift, to people queueing to give blood in the city centre.
"There is just an overwhelming feeling on the part of everybody I have spoken to that we want to do whatever we can to help."
Pat Omara, head of control for the Scottish ambulance service, said the memorial had been particularly emotional for members of the emergency services.Pat Omara, head of control for the Scottish ambulance service, said the memorial had been particularly emotional for members of the emergency services.
"My colleagues have been dealing with a very difficult and dangerous situation in which they have lost colleagues," he said."My colleagues have been dealing with a very difficult and dangerous situation in which they have lost colleagues," he said.
"Many of them have been running on adrenaline for days now, but I'd say morale remains good and that they are keen to get on with the job.""Many of them have been running on adrenaline for days now, but I'd say morale remains good and that they are keen to get on with the job."
He added that the rescue and recovery operation at the scene of the crash had been exceptionally difficult.
"I've worked in the emergency services for 29 years, including some time in London where we responded to some major incidents including the Bishopsgate bombing in 1993," he said.
"In many ways this is a more complex operation. The helicopter obviously carried fuel, and it also had smoke grenades and other materials which could potentially be very hazardous.
"Our colleagues in the Scottish fire and rescue service have had to work to stabilise the building. It's potentially a very dangerous situation for us to respond to."
Glasgow Cathedral has long served as the scene of public memorials. The funerals of the first minister Donald Dewar, entertainer Jimmy Logan and Rangers footballer Jim Baxter all took place within its walls. Glasgow's patron saint, St Mungo, is entombed in its vaults.
At the scene of the crash on Stockwell Street, members of the public left floral tributes to the dead. A book of condolence has been opened at Glasgow City Chambers.
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