Glasgow Helicopter Crash: At Least Six Dead

Police have warned that the number of people killed when a police helicopter crashed into a busy Glasgow pub will rise in the "coming hours" after confirming one death.

The Chief Constable of Police Scotland said they were now dealing with a "search and recovery operation" after rescue teams worked through the night to try to pull people from the wreckage of The Clutha Vaults pub. 

But he said they were still hoping to find survivors alive in the remains of the building.

According to Sky News sources at least six people died when the helicopter crashed through the roof of the lively city nightspot, which was packed with more than 100 people watching a band, at 10.25pm on Friday.

Firefighters on the roof of the pub

Eyewitnesses have described the helicopter "falling like a stone" on to the roof, while some have suggested that there was a problem with the aircraft's rotor.

Grace MacLean, who was inside the pub when the helicopter struck, told Sky News: "Someone started shouting and the band cut the music ... and then all of a sudden this cloud of dust came.

"You couldn't breathe for inhaling a mouthful of dust. You couldn't see anything. You were clawing at the walls to see where the exit is."

People at the scene told how they worked to form a human chain to carry unconscious people out of the pub.

Among the helpers was Labour's international development spokesman Jim Murphy, who told Sky News: "I just saw dozens and dozens of people coming out of the pub. It is a horrible, horrible scene."

The scene of the rescue operation on Friday night

Speaking at a news conference on Saturday morning, Chief Constable Sir Stephen House said: "Sadly at this time I can confirm one fatality. We expect that number to increase over the coming hours."

He confirmed that a further 32 people had been taken to Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the Western Infirmary with "multiple injuries".

Sir Stephen said that specialist teams were working to stabilise the building in a "difficult and sensitive" operation and said:  "We're still in a search and recovery phase, and as always our prayers are that it is successful and we do recover people alive.

He said: "There are people on the scene trying to make contact with anyone who may be alive... All we can do is confirm there has been one fatality but we are fearful there will be more."

Rescue teams had said they had contacted people inside the pub overnight but Sir Stephen could not say when the last contact had been made.

Those inside the pub gather outside after the crash Pic: Paul Agnew

One worried relative at the scene of the crash, Alice Healy, told Sky News how she had not heard from her cousin who had been inside the pub when the aircraft hit.

Another, John McGarrigle, said that he had been told by someone inside the pub that his father, also called John, had died but that authorities had not been able to confirm this.

First Minister 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."

He praised the "instinctive bravery of ordinary Glaswegians" who went to the rescue of those trapped inside the pub and the emergency services.

The police have given no details of what has happened to the crew of two officers and a civilian pilot on board the helicopter.

It is still unclear what caused the crash, with one eyewitness saying the aircraft "dropped like a stone" and police have now launched a full investigation into the crash under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. 

Investigators from the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) were on the scene on Saturday morning trying to piece together what had happened.

An EC135 T2 like the one that crashed into the Clutha Vaults

Aviation expert David Learmount, a pilot and safety editor at the aviation news website Flightglobal, told Sky News: "This type of helicopter is sophisticated and robust. It's a very modern aircraft. I think what has happened here is that you have had an aircraft that became either uncontrollable or partially controllable.

"We just don't know how much control the pilot did have in the final seconds of the flight. Something dramatic has probably suddenly occurred - probably some mechanical failure of some kind."

A tent had been erected on top of the pub on Saturday morning over the wreckage of the aircraft, whose rotor could be seen protruding from the roof.

The helicopter, a EC135 T2, which is widely used by the police, has a good safety record, with one incident in 2007 after which the AAIB asked manufacturers Eurocopter to look at a stability system switch.

Members of Esperanza, the band playing at the time of the tragedy, all escaped from the wreckage unharmed.

They posted on their Facebook site: "Despite the situation everyone was so helpful and caring of each other. The police, ambulances (and) firefighters all did a stellar job and continue to do so today in extremely difficult conditions.

"Our biggest concern is that everyone is found and can get the care and help they need."

The Clutha is situated in Stockwell Street in Glasgow

In a statement, 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."

Labour leader Ed Miliband told Sky News: "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 last night in reaction when the helicopter hit, great bravery, great courage, great calm, in the midst of all this."

A number of St Andrew's Day events were being cancelled on Saturday morning as the tragic toll of Friday night's crash started to become apparent.

The Scottish Football Association said there would be a minute's silence at the 13 Scottish Cup games today.

Members of the public concerned about relatives who may have been involved in the crash can call an emergency helpline on 0800 092 0410.

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