Helicopter crashes into roof of Glasgow pub

One reporter "80% sure that it was a police helicopter"




A police helicopter has crashed into the roof of a Glasgow pub.

Labour’s international development spokesman Jim Murphy said he saw a “pile of people clammering out” of the Clutha bar, on the banks of the Clyde, and formed a human chain with other rescuers to help pass unconscious people out of the pub.

“I was driving past about 10:15 and saw something had happened,” he said.

“I jumped out and tried to help. There were people with injuries. Bad gashes to the head. Some were unconscious. I don’t know how many.

“The helicopter was inside the pub. It’s a mess. I could only get a yard or two inside. I helped carry people out.”

He went on: “My human instinct kicked in. I didn’t like what I was seeing but I did what everyone else was doing and got stuck in. I feel like I’m in shock now. It’s a horrible scene.”

Mr Murphy told Sky News people formed a human chain to help pass unconscious people out of the pub so that “inch by inch, we could get the people out”.

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.”

According to their Facebook page, nine-piece Glasgow ska band Esperanza were playing at the venue.

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.

“It was just a bang, my daughter said it was like a firework explosion, something like that. There doesn’t appear to be a fire.”

Ms Morris added she thought a police helicopter was involved in the crash.

One image of the crash on social media sites showed the dark blue helicopter on the roof with yellow “POLICE” insignia on part of the wreckage.

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.”

A spokeswoman for Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “It is obviously a major incident. There are numerous fire engines there; 15 fire engines at the moment along with specialist services.”

First Minister Alex Salmond tweeted: “The emergency services are in full operation. Our thoughts are with everyone involved. Scottish resilience operation now mobilised.”

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”.

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

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/helicopter-crashes-roof-glasgow-pub-6356858
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-25163045