Helicopter crashes into Glasgow pub, multiple casualties

[SLM]

Helicopter crashes into Glasgow pub, multiple casualties

Reuters

Nov 29, 2013 , Last Updated: 6:37 PM ET

BBC News quoted Member of Parliament Jim Murphy as saying there were "a pile of people" clambering out of the pub and that the fire brigade was at the scene.
The BBC named the pub as the Clutha Vaults on Stockwell Street.
Here are some images from the scene that were posted to Twitter:

Helicopter crashes into Glasgow pub, multiple casualties


Holy cow8O

 

[karrie]

This strikes such a chord of fear for me.... can you imagine being trapped and not knowing what happened to you?

 

[spaminator]

hellicopter. :shock:

 

[SLM]

This strikes such a chord of fear for me.... can you imagine being trapped and not knowing what happened to you?

It's horribly frightening, the helicopter is pretty much all the way inside the pub. The poor people inside wouldn't know what hit them.

Police helicopter crashes into busy Glasgow pub, fatalities likely

Update: It was a police helicopter, no fire (thankfully, small mercies you know) but no numbers or definite fatalities. Not yet anyway, I'm sure there will be some though.

 

[Christianna]

Very sad.

 

[Blackleaf]

Officials say one person is confirmed dead but the number of fatalities is likely to rise​

Sky News sources put the number of dead at six and the number of injured at 32

People still trapped inside the pub

Police Scotland Eurocopter EC135 T2 crashed onto the roof of The Clutha pub on Stockwell Street on the north bank of the Clyde​

125 people were in the pub listening to ska band​

Today is St Andrew's Day in Scotland and Glasgow has cancelled planned St Andrew's Day events​

Emergency services had to drag customers out of the premises after the aircraft fell from the sky 'like a stone'

Police Scotland have confirmed that 32 people have been taken to hospital with staff at Glasgow Royal Infirmary describing some of the injuries as 'very serious'​

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond was at the scene this morning and called it "a black day for Glasgow"

Prime Minister David Cameron also sent condolences

This is the third fatal UK helicopter crash this year, following the 16th January crash in Vauxhall, central London which killed two people and the 23rd August crash off the coast of Shetland which killed three people

It is the third helicpoter crash involving police helicopters in the west of Scotland in the last 23 years

The letters on the side of the aircraft indicate it could be a police helicopter which crashed into the roof of the pub ​

The Clutha bar is pictured close to the banks of the River Clyde in Glasgow​

Rescue workers cover the wreckage of a police helicopter which crashed onto the roof of the Clutha Vaults pub in Glasgow last night killing 'at least six people'​

One of the blades of the helicopter can be seen sticking out of the roof of the pub as fire crews pull tarpaulin over the wreckage​

More than 30 people were injured in the incident at The Clutha pub in the city centre at around 10.25pm last night​

Firefighters work on the roof of the pub using a cherry picker early this morning. There were thought to have been around 125 people in the pub at the time of the incident​

Around 125 people were thought to have been in the pub at the time of the crash watching a ska band play.​

At a press conference this morning Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House confirmed that one person was killed in the incident, but added that he expects that number to rise.​

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond told reporters that today is a 'black day' for Scotland and paid tribute to the 'instinctive courage' of rescue crews and members of the public who helped the injured.​

He said: 'Our condolences go to those who are bereaved and our solidarity is with those who were injured.​

'This is a black day for Scotland, but it's also St Andrew's Day and a day that we can take pride in how we respond to tragedy.

According to reports the incident is being treated as 'no longer a rescue situation but a recovery one' but Sir Stephen House said that rescue crews are still attempting to make contact with anyone still trapped inside the pub.​

He told reporters gathered at the Police Scotland headquarters: 'It has been an emotional few hours but it's the job of everyone here to deal with it effectively.​

'This is a very difficult and sensitive operation and the scene is a particularly challenging one.​

One of the wheels of the helicopter and part of the 'police' sign on the aircraft are visible as rescue crews work on the scene this morning​

The aircraft, which is said to have had two police officers and a civilian pilot on board, hit The Clutha on Stockwell Street, which faces the river Clyde​

'Given the damage caused and the nature of that damage, it will take some time to complete the search of the building.​

Paul Watt, a regular at the Clutha pub, is pictured in tears at the police cordon this morning​

'The safety of those conducting the operation is of the highest importance.'​

Eyewitness Fraser Gibson, 34, who was in the pub with his brother to see his former band, said:
'Midway through their set it sounded like a giant explosion. 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.'​

Another witness said: ‘It was total bedlam.' ​

The aircraft, which is said to have had two police officers and a civilian pilot on board, hit The Clutha on Stockwell Street, which faces the river Clyde. ​

Witnesses said bystanders did not flee the scene and rushed to help by creating a human chain to lift the wounded from the pub to safety.​

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said in a statement last night: 'Our thoughts are with everyone involved with the incident in Glasgow.​

'The emergency services were on the scene within minutes, the rescue efforts are still in full operation and the Scottish Government's resilience operation is now mobilised.'​

He added: 'We must all prepare ourselves for the likelihood of fatalities.'​

Mr Salmond and justice secretary Kenny MacAskill visited the command centre co-ordinating the emergency services operation earlier today.​

Fire crews who worked through the night to rescue those trapped inside are pictured at the scene of the crash this morning​

The propeller blades are visible on the top of the roof as firefighters use cherry pickers to examine the site​

He confirmed that the building is 'very unsafe' and that emergency services are currently working to make the structure safe.​

He told reporters: 'It's a case of working hard within the building to try and determine how many casualties are there.​

'We are determined that we are going to get the building stable and we will be in there to carry out those rescues.'​

He added: 'There were a number of casualties removed earlier on at the start of the incident.​

'They have been taken to hospital and other locations.'​

He confirmed that 125 firefighters are currently on the scene with some working on the roof and others in the cellar of the pub.​

Mr Ramsay praised the bravery of crews working at the scene.​

He said: 'Without any thought to their own safety they have entered these premises to carry out a number of rescues, make contact with casualties and work in that environment for as long as it lasts.​

'As long as there are rescues to be conducted we will be here to do that. We're here for as long as it takes.'​

People are rushed away from the scene to a nearby Holiday Inn for treatment ​

Read more: Glasgow helicopter accident: Police helicopter crashes through roof of The Clutha music venue | Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook​

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[taxslave]

Bringing new meaning to dropping in for a beer.

 

[Blackleaf]

Eight people have been confirmed dead and 14 are seriously injured.

Death toll could still rise because people at least two people are still missing.

Screams, 'burning' dust and heroism amid the carnage: Witnesses reveal full horror inside pub after Glasgow helicopter disaster as police begin to name eight dead


Pub-goers heard victims' screams as busy bar filled with dust

Drinkers left bleeding from their heads and faces, and many had broken their arms and legs

Labour MP Jim Murphy, the MP for East Renfrewshire and the UK's Shadow Secretary of State for International Development, rushed from a nearby hospital to rescue the wounded from the pub​

Prison officer Alleena Coupe told of horror of seeing emergency workers bring out body of one victim

Helicopter pilot David Traill and two police officers including PC Kirsty Nelis killed in tragedy

Mr Traill was a former soldier who served in Iraq in both Gulf Wars and in Afghanistan

In a terrible coincidence, Mrs Nelis's brother-in-law, Paul Nelis, is a fire service commander who was among the first on the scene – and learned of her death as he arrived.​

Gary Arthur, 48, father of Celtic and Scotland women's footballer, was also identified as another victim from The Clutha pub

Pub-goers John McGarrigle and Mark O'Prey are missing and feared dead

Doomed helicopter is being removed from the wreckage of the pub today as mission to retrieve bodies continues

Victims were remembered with prayers and candles lit at special Glasgow Cathedral Service

The Queen, David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Alex Salmond offer their condolences

By Lucy Crossley
1 December 2013
Daily Mail

Eight candles were lit for the victims during a service at Glasgow Cathedral this morning

Horrified witnesses who were inside a packed Scottish pub when a police helicopter smashed through the roof have told of the terrifying mix of screams, burning dust and blood which filled the building when the chopper hit.

As work got underway to remove helicopter wreckage from The Clutha in Glasgow, those at the heart of the tragedy spoke of what they had seen in the moments the aircraft crashed into the busy bar.

Prison officer Alleena Coupe was in the pub with her husband Gary, a former firefighter, when the helicopter tore through the ceiling.

Mrs Coupe said she and her husband were only saved because they had changed their minds about sitting near the window of the busy bar, and instead moved to the bar area.​

She said she saw the roof collapse on the helicopter's impact, before a thick cloud of dust left the patrons struggling to see or breathe.​

Mrs Coupe managed to get out of the pub before ambulance crews arrived, and being a first aid instructor rushed to help those injured in the terrifying crash. ​

She said she saw people who just moments earlier had been drinking peacefully, stumble about the pub, many of them bleeding from their heads and faces, some with broken arms and legs.

'There were people screaming,' she told the Daily Record. 'There were rows of injured people on the floor.'​

Mrs Coupe said that she saw the fire brigade bringing out the body of one tragic pub-goer, who she described as being covered in dust and blood.​

'They covered him in a blanket and put him in a bag. They did it with dignity for him.​

'It was really hard to see. I can’t stop thinking about his poor family.​

'I was in bits after that. I got home about 2.30am and didn’t sleep a wink.​

'Every time I shut my eyes, I see that wee man.'​

She added, telling the Daily Telegraph: 'The dust was choking, it burned our throats. People were running about and panicking, while everyone was trying to help get anyone out. One woman was determined to go back in the pub, she was shouting that her husband was still inside.

One man, Craig Bain, 35, from Renfrew, still wore bandages around his head as he visited the site of the pub to lay flowers in honour of the dead.​

Victims of the Glasgow helicopter crash were remembered at a service in the city's cathedral, as the rescue and recovery operation continues.​

Special prayers were said at Glasgow Cathedral, and local schoolchildren lit eight candles in memory of the dead, and as a symbol of hope.​

Reverend Dr Laurence Whitley, the minister at Glasgow Cathedral, said: 'The point of this morning's service is two-fold.​

'Firstly to show solidarity amongst all Glaswegians with those who are suffering or have been bereaved.​

'Secondly we want to express our gratitude, encouragement and support for the emergency services.​

'We have to keep remembering that they are human beings and some of them have been dealing with people who have been seriously injured or even killed, and some are their colleagues.'​

Speaking about visiting those affected in hospital on Saturday morning, he said: 'The atmosphere was very calm. A sense of sadness...but yet Glasgow being Glasgow, there was a sense of solidarity that we are all in this together.'​

Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House was at the service along with Scottish Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill.​

Councillor Gordon Matheson, the leader of Glasgow City Council, Scottish Labour deputy leader Anas Sarwar and shadow Scottish secretary Margaret Curran were also among the congregation.​

One of the victims was named last night as PC Kirsty Nelis. In 2003, Mrs Nelis received a bravery award after overpowering a hammer- wielding thug.​

In a terrible coincidence, her brother-in-law, Paul Nelis, is a fire service commander who was among the first on the scene – and learned of her death as he arrived.​

The pilot of the helicopter, who is believed to be among the dead, was identified as former RAF flight lieutenant David Traill, 51.​

Police also named Gary Arthur, 48, from Paisley, as another casualty, after his body was recovered from the scene on the banks of the River Clyde. ​

He was the father of Scotland international women's footballer Chloe Arthur, 18.​

The under-19 forward for Celtic and Scotland tweeted: 'RIP dad. you'll always mean the world to me, I promise to do you proud, I love you with all my heart.​

'Thanks to everyone who has tweeted me, text me etc, means so much, I have the most amazing friends ever.'​

A minute's silence will be held before Celtic's Scottish Cup tie against Hearts at Tynecastle today, while Celtic FC and the Scottish Football Association also sent their condolences.​

Mark O'Prey, 44, and poet John McGarrigle have both been reported missing by friends and family and are also feared dead. ​

Crash site: The helicopter's yellow-tipped rotor blade and its police logo can be seen jutting through the roof​

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Tragedy: Group Commander Paul Nelis (top) from Strathclyde Fire and Rescue found out his sister-in-law was dead when he arrived at the scene. Celtic and Scotland Under-19s women's footballer Chloe Arthur tweeted that she promised she would make her father Gary proud, after he died in the tragedy

The Queen, Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister Alex Salmond have expressed their condolences to those caught up in the tragedy.​

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.’​

There was praise for the heroic rescue effort mounted by passers-by and those who escaped uninjured. ​

Mr Traill was hailed for the way he handled his aircraft as it fell, possibly averting an even worse catastrophe.​

His family told The Sunday Times that the accomplished Chinook pilot with more than 20 years experience 'always had time for everybody'. ​

The 51-year-old is said to have been on tours of duty to Iraq and Afghanistan and served in both Gulf Wars.​

His death comes just two years after his younger brother Angus died from cancer.​

Mr McGarrigle's son, also John, said his father was sat in his usual seat in the venue, which was directly below the point where the aircraft hit. His friend, Sammy McGhee, is also thought to have died, according to The Sun. ​

Mr Traill's cousin, Heather Lawson paid tribute to him on Facebook, writing, 'RIP David Trailly my lovely big cousin away far too soon.'​

Aviation expert Struan Johnston said: ‘The pilot would have done everything in his power to try and land the aircraft safely,’ ​

‘Unfortunately, I think in this case he nearly pulled it off, but the weight of the aircraft just wasn’t sustainable on the roof.’ Experts believe the pilot would have still exerted some control over the helicopter even after its engine failed. And in aiming for the flat roof of the pub, which he may have mistaken for an empty building, he was choosing the least worst option.​

Tragic: Police officer Kirsty Nelis was one of eight people who died as the helicopter she was in crashed into a Glasgow pub​

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​

Casualties: The pilot of the helicopter, David Traill, 51 (top), a former soldier, was identified by his family members last night and Pub-goer Gary Arthur, 48, was also confirmed by police as one of the victims

​

Missing: Mark O'Prey, 44 (top) is not accounted for and is believed to be among the dead while John McGarrigle (below right, with his son) was in the pub at the time of the crash ​

Brave: Mr Bain had been inside the pub when the helicopter crashed through the roof​

Brave: Labour MP Jim Murphy rushed from a nearby pub to rescue the wounded from the pub​

One of those who joined the rescue effort was Labour MP Jim Murphy, who had been in a nearby pub. ​

He said the biggest fear was the possibility of the aircraft exploding. ‘You’re thinking, “Will this explode?” ​

‘You need to get as many people out as quickly as possible before it explodes.’​

Another at the forefront of the rescue was 57-year-old retired firefighter Edward Waltham, who was on his way to meet a friend in The Clutha, when the helicopter crashed, 50 yards from him. ​

He said: ‘It wasn’t a screaming, shouting match – and bear in mind that I ran over seconds after it happened, so people were coming out – and I think their reaction was “What’s happened?” because people didn’t seem to be in a state of complete panic. ​

‘Everybody was doing their best to try to get inside that pub and get people out of it. ​

‘I was very aware of how people were totally unconcerned about their own safety and just trying to get people out. I was right at the front door and initially there were a couple of people lying there and one lad who looked particularly badly injured; we got him out. ​

Tribute: A police officer escorts a woman and a child after they left a bouquet of flowers near to the scene where the police helicopter crashed​

‘He was completely covered in dust and looked as though he was struggling to breathe. He was uncommunicative, so I established that he was breathing and he had a pulse and I got other people to help me to take him away from the front of the building, because at this point other people were being literally pulled out on top of us.’​

Perspective: An overview of the scene at The Clutha on the other side of the River Clyde ​

'Every time I shut my eyes I see that wee man': Woman who was inside packed Glasgow pub when police helicopter crashed into roof can't shake horror of seeing dead man carried from carnage | Mail Online

 

[Sal]

what a hellish tragedy

 

[Blackleaf]

A total of nine people have been killed in the accident, all of whom have been named

Police are not expecting to find any more bodies

Emergency services formed guard of honor as bodies were taken away in private ambulances

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg laid floral tribute at the scene

The EC135 T2 aircraft, manufactured by Eurocopter, was loaded on to a lorry and taken to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) base in Farnborough, Hampshire

Aircraft had no black box recorder but it may be possible to recover recorded data from its electronic systems


All victims of Glasgow Clutha bar helicopter crash named

BBC News
3 December 2013

(Top row left to right) David Traill (pilot), PC Kirsty Nelis, PC Tony Collins; (Middle) Gary Arthur, Samuel McGhee, John McGarrigle; (Bottom) Colin Gibson, Mark O'Prey, Robert Jenkins

The names of all nine people who died when a police helicopter crashed into a busy Glasgow pub have been released.

Robert Jenkins, 61, Mark O'Prey, 44, Colin Gibson, 33, and John McGarrigle, 57, were named on Tuesday.

The other victims were Samuel McGhee, 56, Gary Arthur, 48, and the helicopter pilot David Traill, 51, and PCs Kirsty Nelis, 36, and Tony Collins, 43.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg laid a floral tribute where the aircraft crashed into the Clutha bar on Friday.

He was accompanied to the scene on Tuesday morning by Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael and Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson.

Management of the incident scene has now been handed over to Glasgow City Council

Mr Clegg said the UK government was willing to help the city council, which has pledged to set up a fund for those people bereaved and injured in the tragedy.

"We stand ready to provide help if and when it is needed," he said.

"Of course we will continue to talk to them and work with the city council in any way we can to provide the help which they judge to be necessary."

The deputy prime minister also paid tribute to the "exceptional" response of the people of Glasgow and the emergency services.

Deputy PM Nick Clegg: "City united in grief and compassion"

He said everyone was full of admiration for how the city had come together and for the emergency services who "worked tirelessly in very difficult circumstances".

With no further bodies having been found during the final phase of a recovery operation at the pub, focus is now turning to remembering the dead, helping the bereaved and survivors, and recognising the work of the emergency services.

First Minister Alex Salmond has signed a book of condolence at Glasgow City Chambers and will make a statement on the tragedy in the Scottish Parliament later.

He said: "I had a look at some of the messages when I was able to sign the book today and people are expressing sympathy, condolence obviously, as you would expect, but also solidarity.

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has signed a book of condolence

"The theme running through the messages is one of solidarity. The citizens of Glasgow grouping round those who have suffered loss or injury and showing that they care, and the people of Scotland grouping round the citizens of Glasgow - it's solidarity that runs through the book of condolence."

Deputy Chief Constable Rose Fitzpatrick said: "Our thoughts first and foremost are with the families and friends of all those who have died.

"As our investigation continues we will of course go on providing support to the families involved."

She said the recovery operation had been "difficult and complex" and had involved "painstaking work and the skills of specialist personnel from across the emergency services".

Police officers lined the street as the wreckage was taken away

The family of Mr O'Prey had expressed their frustration at the amount of information they had been given about the recovery operation.

Mr O'Prey and Mr Jenkins, both from East Kilbride, Mr Gibson, from Ayr, and Mr McGarrigle, from Cumbernauld, had all been inside the pub.

Samuel McGhee, 56, of Glasgow, and 48-year-old Gary Arthur, from Paisley, Renfrewshire - who were earlier named among the dead - were also inside The Clutha.

The three dead helicopter crew were pilot David Traill, 51, and PCs Kirsty Nelis, 36, and Tony Collins, 43.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg (centre left) laid a floral tribute at the scene of the crash on Tuesday morning

Eleven of the 32 people injured in the crash are still in hospital.

The BBC understands that three are in a serious condition.

Officers conducting the investigation have asked for any footage of the incident to be emailed to: glasgowhelicopterincident@scotland.pnn.police.uk

Emergency services concluded the recovery operation with a "finger-tip" search of the building after the helicopter, which was embedded in the roof, was lifted out on Monday morning.

The EC135 T2 aircraft, manufactured by Eurocopter, was loaded on to a lorry and taken to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) base in Farnborough, Hampshire.

AAIB deputy chief inspector David Miller revealed on Monday that the pilot had not made a mayday call before its vertical descent.

He said: "I can confirm that the helicopter does not have a flight data recorder. However, it does have a significant number of modern electronic systems on board and it may be possible to recover recorded data from those systems.

"There were no emergency transmissions from the pilot before this accident."

Mr Miller said nothing detached from the craft in flight before the crash.

Management of the incident scene has now been handed over from the emergency services to Glasgow City Council.

The council's chief executive George Black said: "Every Glaswegian is immensely grateful for the work the emergency services have done for us since Friday night.

"And every Glaswegian is immensely proud of their fellow citizens who ran towards trouble when they were needed.

"While the initial response to this incident has now come to an end, we still have work to do."

Scotland's Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill and Community Safety minister Roseanna Cunningham have met officers and crews who took part in the rescue efforts.

'Remarkable courage'

Ms Cunningham said: "The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service played a key role as part of the emergency services response which undoubtedly saved lives after the helicopter crashed on Friday night, the way in which they responded to an incident of this scale is truly exemplary.

"Air accident investigators have described this as one of the most complex crash sites that they've ever worked on."

She added: "We are all indebted to their remarkable courage and dedication, working on a hugely complex operation, the relief effort from all of our emergency services has been simply heroic."

Alasdair Hay, chief officer for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, paid tribute to fire and rescue staff.

He said: "This incident was a very challenging, complex situation and I am extremely proud of my staff for such a dedicated and professional response.

"Whilst firefighters train for these sorts of emergency situations, the reality of actually dealing with them takes its toll on us emotionally and physically.

"It has been an extremely difficult time for everyone involved and I have the utmost respect for every single person who was part of this operation."

Analysis

Richard Westcott
BBC transport correspondent

We've now learnt some important details that will help to ascertain what caused this crash.

For example, nothing fell off the helicopter before it came down, a rotor blade for instance, which is the first thing investigators would have checked.

There was also no mayday call and the investigation team used the phrase "vertical descent" to describe its final moments. Both suggest that things went wrong very quickly.

And the rotors appear to be intact, which suggests that they weren't turning very quickly as it hit the building. That points towards a loss of power.

But there could still be a long way to go before we get the final answer. The fact that this helicopter wasn't fitted with a flight data recorder, a black box as they are known, will make the task much harder. It could have provided quick clues to any mechanical problems.

The remains of the aircraft will now be painstakingly labelled and then examined at the headquarters of the Air Accident Investigation Branch in Farnborough.


BBC News - All victims of Glasgow Clutha bar helicopter crash named

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

I'm starting a fund to help the displaced Clutha people find a new regular. Would you care to donate?