Eight people have died and 32 injured after a helicopter crashed into a pub in Glasgow.
A live music gig was taking place at the Clutha Bar on the banks of the river Clyde when a police helicopter “dropped from the sky like a stone” according to eye-witness reports.
Around 120 people were inside the venue when the Eurocopter EC135 T2 helicopter crashed through the roof at around 22:25 on Friday night killing three in the helicopter and five in the building.
Teams of 125 firefighters worked all night to try to rescue those trapped inside.
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has said that flags will fly at half-mast across Scotland out of respect for those affected by the tragedy, and St Andrew’s Day events in Glasgow have been cancelled. Scottish Cup games will also observe a minutes silence before the games.
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.
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.
Alex Salmond said:
This is a black day for Glasgow and Scotland but it’s also St Andrew’s Day, and it’s a day we can take pride and courage in how we respond to adversity and tragedy.
Esperanza, the band playing the gig when the accident occurred released a statement saying:
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.
