A ‘black day’ for Scotland

A desperate search for survivors was continuing last night at the scene of the Glasgow helicopter crash.

Rescuers still don’t know if people are trapped under wreckage of the police chopper which plunged into The Clutha at around 10.30pm on Friday night.

A total of eight people have now been confirmed dead, five of whom were revellers in the packed city centre pub and three from the helicopter, two police officers and a civilian pilot.

A further 14 people remain seriously injured in hospitals across Glasgow.

Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House warned the “complicated and dangerous” rescue operation could last days with crews struggling to gain access to the area under the fuselage of the helicopter.

More than 100 people were in The Clutha when the helicopter “dropped like a stone” from the sky and crashed on to the pub’s roof.

First Minister Alex Salmond described the tragedy as a “black day for Scotland” and Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute to the “bravery of the ordinary Glaswegians who rushed to help”.

Sir Stephen added: “We are dealing with a very sensitive and complex operation and we expect that emergency services will be at the scene for some time.

“It will not be a quick operation. It is a very complicated and indeed dangerous scene.

“We would thank the public for their co-operation as our officers and other emergency service colleagues continue this difficult task.

“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.”

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the increased death toll from the crash was “news that everybody has been both dreading and expecting”.

“Our hearts go out to everyone who has been bereaved. It is impossible to imagine the grief and loss that they are experiencing,”

Witnesses described how the police helicopter came down “like a stone” from the sky and hit the roof.

With a band playing inside the pub many revellers were unaware of what was happening until the roof of the popular bar, which is next to the River Clyde, collapsed.

Witnesses and survivors formed a human chain to help remove those inside the pub before emergency crews arrived.

Glasgow’s Victoria, Western and Royal Infirmary hospitals dealt with 32 survivors of the crash, with 14 people still being treated for “very serious injuries”.

Alistair Hay, Scotland’s chief fire officer, said: “Nobody expects on a Friday night for a helicopter to come down on top of a pub where people are socialising a month before Christmas, and it really is a heartfelt thanks to everybody that got involved to assist their fellow citizens.”

Labour MP for East Renfrewshire Jim Murphy was driving past The Clutha when the accident happened and helped with the rescue operation.

He said: “My thoughts are with those who are affected by the Glasgow helicopter crash as well as the emergency staff who responded so quickly, bravely and brilliantly and who are still at the scene.

“People did what is the human instinct and helped out until the emergency crews arrived. I did little in comparison to others who did much more at the scene.”

Flags were yesterday flown at half-mast at the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government buildings across the country.

Prime Minister Mr Cameron added: “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.”

Brian Docherty, of the Scottish Police Federation, said: “Our thoughts and sincere condolences go to the families and friends of all those who have lost loved ones in this tragic incident and especially to the family, friends and colleagues of the air crew.

“Our members are unfortunately all too used to dealing with tragedy but they performed their duties so effectively in the face of certain knowledge they were dealing with the likely deaths of one of our own.”

A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow last night confirmed 18 people had been discharged from hospital, while 14 were still being treated. Some are believed to be fighting for their lives.

He said: “Those treated and discharged had chest and head injuries, as well as cuts.”