Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said it was "a black day for Glasgow"
Three people have died after a police helicopter crashed into a busy pub in Glasgow, the BBC understands.
Police Scotland have confirmed one death but said they
expected the final number of fatalities would be higher. A rescue
operation is continuing.The crash happened at The Clutha in Stockwell Street at 22:25 on Friday.
There were three people on board the helicopter - two officers and a civilian pilot. Thirty-two people have been taken to local hospitals.
The emergency services remain involved in a "search and recovery" operation
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.
AT THE SCENE
Strange to walk through Argyle Street to the scene and see so many people doing their Christmas shopping just a few hundred yards from the scene.The King Street car park next to the scene is full of cars, and buses are passing just 100 yards from the cordon.
There is no debris on our side of the cordon - it's hard to believe what has happened just a few yards away.
We can see the blue and green tarpaulins on top of the roof of the pub, but there is no activity on that roof.
On our side of the cordons, a pack of around 40 journalists and photographers are taking statements from eyewitnesses and waiting for news.
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.
"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.
Emergency services have erected barriers around the scene and specialist rescue teams remain at the scene.
- A large area of the city centre has been cordoned off
- Tarpaulins have been put up over roof of pub
- Injured were taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Western Infirmary and the Victoria Infirmary
- Some of those who were in pub taken to a nearby Holiday Inn Express
- Police Scotland Casualty Bureau number is 0800 092 0410 - for those concerned about relatives
- Glasgow City Council has opened a family reception centre at 40 John Street
- Mass held at in St Andrew's Cathedral in city for those involved in crash and emergency services involved in response
- Council has cancelled St Andrew's Day celebrations in George Square as a mark of respect
- Investigation into what happened is under way
- Air Accident Investigation Branch is in Glasgow.
"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."
The Police Scotland helicopter crashed onto the roof of the pub as a band was performing
"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."
The Clutha Bar
- Situated near the banks of Glasgow's River Clyde, The Clutha is one of Glasgow's oldest public houses
- According to oldglasgowpubs.co.uk, the bar traded in the late 19th Century and over the years has been known as The Merchant, The Weemann's and The Pipinjay
- A popular live music venue, The Clutha hosts various bands and artists as well as open mic events
- The bar's Facebook page says it was voted as one of the top three pubs in Glasgow for live music with "something on every night"
- Scottish comedian Billy Connolly has been known to frequent the pub
- An application had been submitted to Glasgow City Council to create a roof terrace above the bar
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.'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.
"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.
Jim Murphy MP tells the BBC that "something horrific and serious happened"
Jim Murphy, the Labour MP for East Renfrewshire, was in the area at the time of the 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.
"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".
Local people have gathered at the scene
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."
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.
"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.
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."
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."
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."
Gordon Matheson, the leader of Glasgow City Council, said his heart went out to the families affected.
The Eurocopter EC135 T2
- Began service in 1996 and there are now around 1,000 in operation
- Used around the world by the police and emergency services
- Has capacity for one pilot and six or seven passengers
- Weighs 6,504 lbs (2,950kg)
- Maximum speed of 137kts (254 km/h)
- Twin-engined and has a maximum range of 334nm (620km)
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. "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.
"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."
The roof of the pub has been covered with tarpaulins
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."
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.
