The night Glasgow became a city of heroes

Helicopter crash highlights the bravery and humanity of ordinary folk.

Amid the devastation of the crash, ordinary members of the public displayed immense courage as they fought to help those caught up in the carnage.

Eyewitnesses told of people running towards the bar as thick plumes of smoke and dust rose from the impact site. Revellers who initially escaped the horror returned to the pub and pulled people away from danger, dragging them to safety.

Former firefighter Edward Waltham arrived at the scene moments after the helicopter plummeted from the sky.

The 57-year-old, from Hillington, said: “The explosion stopped me in my tracks and then I looked to see where it had come from. A few moments later there was a large cloud of smoke and dust above The Clutha.

“I wasn’t inside the pub, thank goodness, but for the people who were is must have been horrendous.

“Instantly, it went from a situation where they were enjoying a live band and having a few drinks to one where the roof of the building was falling down on top of them.

“The people outside were just trying to remove anybody they could reach from inside the premises and get them out into the open.

“There was a large number of injured people who were being moved along the ground away from the entrance and trying to do something to help them.”

Reverend Gordon Armstrong, minister at Oakshaws Trinity Church in Paisley, was at a function in Glasgow’s south side when he got a call from the fire service.

He said he was touched by the way locals have responded to the tragedy.

“I was contacted within the hour. I came as soon as I could with my colleague, Jim Thomson, to support the crews. People were helping one another. The normal public rallied round. It was a very moving thing to see.

“Seeing how everyone helped each other was testament to how we respond to these situations.”

Tina Gibbins from Fraserburgh was staying at the Holiday Inn across from the pub and arrived just moments after the helicopter came down.

She said survivors were comforting each other in the lobby as they tried to cope with the tragedy they had been caught up in.

She said: “There were people from the pub inside. They were covered in blood and dust. I spoke to a few lads that were shaking to see if they were OK.

“Everyone was dumbstruck and extremely concerned about people who were still in the pub.

“People were comforting each other. I found two girls in the toilet, crying. One was a barmaid.”

Victoria added: “People who were all right, who were coming out the pub, were doing what they could.

“It will take a long time for the people of Glasgow to come to terms with this. But, given time, they will.”

John McGarrigle, 38, arrived on the scene before midnight on Friday after he heard about the crash and stayed at the barrier most of the night waiting for news.

He is a regular in the pub where he goes with his dad, John McGarrigle Snr, 59, and would have been in there were it not for the fact he had to take his girlfriend to hospital.

John is convinced his dad has been killed in the accident as an eyewitness called Fiona told him she saw his dad sitting in an area that was submerged by the collapsed roof.

John said: “The minute I saw where the helicopter had come down I thought, ‘That’s exactly where dad sits’. I know my dad is dead.

“I found out one of his friends, called Jimmy, walked out of the pub seconds before it happened.

“Another friend, Fiona, went to the toilet next to where the helicopter struck. That saved her.

“She came out the toilet and my dad and Sammy weren’t there any more. She got to the exit and the rest of the roof came down.

“I know dad is dead. My wee sister went to his house this morning and it’s empty. He hadn’t been home.

“I phoned him as soon as I heard about the crash but I couldn’t get him. No one can get hold of him on the phone.”

Right Rev Lorna Hood, moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, added: “Already stories of those caught up in a tragedy forming a human chain to help those trapped show the spirit of the people of Glasgow and their care for one and other.

“The emergency services are to be thanked for their quick response and expertise in this tragic situation.”

The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Sadie Docherty, said: “It is shocking, but our Glaswegian resolve will get us through this together.

“The bravery and humanity of ordinary folk, witnessed last night, can give us all great comfort.”