At least six dead after bin lorry smashes into Christmas shoppers including baby in a buggy in Glasgow city centre and careers 300 yards along pavement 'after driver is taken ill at the wheel'
Police have confirmed that six people have died after a bin
lorry crashed onto a crowded pavement in Glasgow city centre this
lunchtime. Witnesses say the truck was out of control as it entered
George Square and ploughed into pedestrians, including young children
and a baby in a buggy, as well as cars before crashing into a hotel next
to the entrance of the Scottish city's Queen Street Station. The cause
of the crash was not immediately clear but there were unconfirmed
reports that the driver, who survived it, might have suffered a heart
attack.
Six dead after bin lorry smashes into Christmas shoppers 'including baby in a buggy' in Glasgow city centre and careers 300 yards along the pavement
- Council bin lorry crashed in city centre square shortly after 2.30pm
- Witnesses said the truck was out of control and ploughed into pedestrians
- The area was packed with Christmas shoppers and office workers
- Accident happened near busy Christmas market filled with children
- Shopper said people were knocked down 'like pinballs'
- She also said 'baby in a buggy' and 'two little kids' caught up in the panic
- Lorry travelled for up to 200 yards before crashing into a hotel
- Officers have not confirmed reports the driver suffered a heart attack
- First Minister Nicola Sturgeon describes tragedy as 'another sad day for Glasgow and Scotland'
Six
people have been confirmed dead after a bin lorry mounted a crowded
pavement in Glasgow city centre, knocking down scores of Christmas
shoppers before it slammed into a hotel wall.
Witnesses
say the truck was out of control as it entered George Square and
ploughed into pedestrians, including young children and a baby in a
buggy, and cars before crashing next to the entrance of the Scottish
city's Queen Street Station.
The
area was busy with shoppers and children heading to a funfair at the
time and police have confirmed that six people have died, although they
have not given details of the casualties.
Witnesses
reported seeing injured people strewn across the street as bystanders
rushed to help them. Some have claimed the driver suffered a heart
attack at the wheel of the vehicle.
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Six people have died after a bin lorry
crashed onto a crowded pavement near a busy square and station in
Glasgow city centre this lunchtime
The lorry crashed into a wall next to the entrance to Queen Street Station next to the Millennium Hotel
Ambulance crews battled to save those injured in the crash and witnesses reported many 'walking wounded'
A police tent set up at the scene, which was roped off with a number of emergency vehicles in attendance
A
Police Scotland statement said: 'Regarding a major road incident in
George Square, Glasgow, please note that we can confirm that six people
have been fatally injured as a result.'
The
square has a Christmas ice rink and fairground which was busy with
children enjoying the festive season. The attractions have been closed
after police shut off the square following the accident.
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Shoppers
said the lorry lost control as it drove along the busy street and moved
at high speed across the square, knocking over bystanders before it
came to a halt in the hotel wall next to an entrance to the bustling
Queen Street Station.
Restaurant
owner George Smith said it was claimed the lorry driver had a heart
attack at the wheel as he drove through the city centre.
Police couldn't say whether the lorry driver was ill before the crash but said he is being treated at hospital.
Emergency services close to the stricken lorry, which also appeared to have hit this car before coming to a halt at the hotel
Shoppers in Glasgow were being advised to contact their families and tell them they were safe
Rescue workers at the scene of the horror crash tonight. Police have confirmed six people died
Witnesses reported seeing injured people strewn across the street as bystanders rushed to help them
Shopper Melanie Grieg described how
people were knocked 'down like pinballs', and said she had seen a baby
in a buggy and 'two little kids' caught up in the panic
Police were unable to say if any
children were among the casualties, but a spokesman said there had been
families in the area at the time
Emergency services including paramedics, police and firefighters at the scene in Glasgow's Queen Street tonight
Shopper
Melanie Greig told Sky News: 'The lorry just lost control, it just went
along the pavement knocking people down like pinballs. There was a baby
in a buggy, there were two little kids. It travelled for 150 or 200
yards.'
Police
were unable to say if any children were among the casualties, but a
spokesman said there had been families in the area at the time.
Student Lewis Irvine, 17, said: 'I was out doing my Christmas shopping and was walking across George Square when it happened.
'The
lorry went swerving along the road and it went up onto the pavement and
went into a load of people. It must have hit at least half a dozen
people. Then it went into the Millennium Hotel.
'I
could see the driver at the wheel. It looked like he was having a fit
or something. There were bodies lying on the ground. It was awful.'
Findlay
Mair, 23, who was helping to prepare for a photo-shoot in the world
famous square, said: 'We were setting up cameras, about 100 yards away,
when we heard a huge bang followed by lots of screaming.
'The
screaming just kept going on. Suddenly it was just chaos. Some people
were running towards the scene, others were just standing stock still,
in shock.'
Police closed off the square as a huge team of emergency service workers moved in to treat the wounded
Bystanders rushed to help those knocked down by the lorry before emergency services arrived
He
added: 'I saw one girl who had been hit, lying on the ground. She got
up, and blood was pouring from her mouth, then she went down again.
'She was young, of student age. She just screamed, and screamed, and then fell down again. She had terrible injuries.
'A
woman motorist got out of her car and just stared at what was unfolding
and then started sobbing. She was just yelling 'Oh God, oh God'.
'There
was Christmas shopping littered everywhere, among the bodies and bits
of the vehicle. And there was blood everywhere. Time seemed to stand
still. It was a terrible, terrible scene.
'It
was difficult to take in. One minute the square was a typical Christmas
scene, with people enjoying their Christmas shopping and the next
moment it was just carnage.
'A lot of people were standing there, trying to understand what was happening. Then everyone was calling emergency services.'
He
added: 'Emergency services were brilliant. The first paramedics were on
the scene within about three minutes, then there was a steady stream of
ambulances, fire engines and police cars arriving.'
'The
people who were hit had no time to take evasive action. They had no
chance. The lorry went straight into them and scattered them like
skittles. It was awful.'
Police have confirmed the incident is being treated as a road traffic incident and nothing more sinister
A firefighter reaches under the council bin lorry whose driver reportedly suffered a seizure or heart attack
Eyewitness
Joty Chopra, a 21-year-old student, said: 'We were having lunch around
the corner and heard a loud bang and came running out.
'When we got to the scene there were three people lying on the floor - two of them were in a pool of blood.
He
added: 'The city centre has been packed today with Christmas shoppers.
Other people around us told how the lorry mounted the pavement at quite a
high speed.
'The emergency services were on the scene really quickly and have cordoned the area off so we can't see much more.'
Margaret
McLuckie, 42, told the Glasgow Evening Times: 'A bin lorry came through
the lights at speed. It crashed into the Millenium Hotel. It was
terrifying. I just hope they're alright.'
Witness
Brett Molloy, who was at the scene, tweeted: 'Holy s*** this major, 2
Bodies on the road, traffic lights down the lot scary s***.
'Whole of George square is shut off, bodies on the road. Scary man.'
Many bystanders were left struggling to come to terms with the dreadful scenes they witnessed
One witness said the driver looked like he was 'having a fit' at the wheel of the vehicle during the crash
Witnesses told of their shock at the scene where a number of people lost their lives this lunchtime
John
McCue added: 'The scenes at Queen Street are like something you would
see out of a film! Horrible accident to happen especially this time of
year.'
Another
witness, Peter Smith, said he saw someone with a white sheet draped
over them on the ground adding: 'No a very nice atmosphere in town at
the moment? No wonder, horrible tragedy'
Debris of parts of cars knocked into by the lorry as it moved across the square was left strewn across the road.
Daily
Record reporter Keith Jackson, who was at the scene, said: 'There's
walking wounded and lots of people crying and upset. It's pretty
unbelievable; horrendous. Everyone is in complete shock.'
Ambulances and fire crews rushed to the scene around 2.30pm and the area has now been closed off by police as they investigate.
Superintendent
for Road Policing Division Stewart Carle said he estimated the bin
lorry continued for roughly 300m along the pavement after striking the
first pedestrian.
He
said: 'At about half past two this afternoon a Glasgow City Council
refuse bin lorry has been travelling north on Queen Street just outside
the Gallery of Modern Art when it collided with a pedestrian.'
The square has now been closed off as police examine the scene and try to work out what happened
Witnesses looked on horror-struck after the accident in the crowded city centre square
He
added: 'The lorry continued up Queen Street towards George Square and
there's been a number of other collisions with pedestrians on the
pavement.
'As
a consequence there's been a number of fatalities. The bin lorry has
come to rest against the Millennium Hotel. I would estimate, from the
point of the initial impact to the hotel, about 300m.
'There
was a multiple agency response to this from fire, ambulance and police,
as well as Glasgow City Council and other support agencies.
'The seriously injured have been taken to the three main Glasgow major incident sites.
'We've
declared a major incident and we're working with out partners as
quickly as possible to resolve the situation and to identify those who
have lost their lives, and to be there to support their families and
next of kin.
'I
cannot confirm at this stage the number of fatalities there have been
because it's over a number of sites and we need to be absolutely certain
of those.
'There
are three major incident sites in Glasgow, the Western Infirmary, the
Southern General, and the Royal Infirmary, and that's where the injured
have been taken to.
'I understand there is at least seven people who are seriously injured but that number may rise.
He
added: 'The bin lorry is in its final position just at the top of Queen
Street at the corner of the Millennium Hotel where it crashed in, and
that's how it came to a stop.
'We are currently starting a joint investigation with the Criminal Investigation Department as to what has happened here.
'The driver has been taken to hospital where he is receiving treatment.'
Police say they are starting a joint investigation with the Criminal Investigation Department
An aerial shot of George Square shows
the stretch of pavement where pedestrians were hit (circled, bottom) and
the corner of the Millennium Hotel where the lorry ended up, crashed
against a wall (circled, top)
Anyone in Glasgow city centre today is being urged by police to let family members and friends know they are safe.
Assistant
Chief Constable Wayne Mawson, Local Policing Commander for the West,
said: 'This is a tragic incident which has taken place at a very busy
time in the centre of our city. Please be assured my officers and other
members of the emergency services will do everything they can to respond
to this collision.
'We
have set up a helpline for anyone who believes a friend or relative may
have been involved in this incident. The number is 01786 289070.
However, due to the volume of calls that we are receiving, it would be
helpful if anyone who was in Glasgow city centre today can call home to
let their loved ones and friends know that they are safe. The safety of
the people of Glasgow is our priority and the emergency services will
continue to work together to establish the exact circumstances.'
The
tragedy struck barely a year after the Clutha Bar helicopter crash in
the city. Ten people died when a police helicopter crashed on to the
roof of the pub on November 29 last year.
Political leaders in Scotland and at Westminster also expressed their shock and paid tribute to the emergency services.
In
a statement, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: 'My
thoughts are with everyone involved in this tragic incident, and
especially with the friends and families of the six people who lost
their lives in what is another sad day for Glasgow and Scotland.
Photos taken by pedestrians show the smashed windscreen of the vehicle after the accident
Emergency services at the scene of the accident, which happened at around 2.30pm this afternoon
'I
am currently at the Police Scotland control room in Govan with Justice
Secretary Michael Matheson, where I am being fully briefed with the
latest information.
'As
ever, Scotland's emergency services have responded in a swift and
professional manner and I would encourage everyone to let them get on
with their vitally important roles.'
Local
MSP Sandra White said: 'This is an utterly tragic day for the city of
Glasgow and my heart goes out to the families of those who have lost
their lives.
'For
an incident like this to occur at any time of year is terrible, but for
it to happen only a few days before Christmas is especially
heartbreaking.
'This
city has seen more than its share of tragedy in recent times - but I
know I speak for all Glaswegians when I say that we will pull together
and support all those affected as we always do.
'Glasgow
is noted for how we respond to adversity - and we can be proud of the
response of the emergency services, and of the people of Glasgow who did
their best to help in the immediate aftermath.
'In
the meantime, I would urge people to, as far as possible, stay away
from the area in order to allow the emergency services to continue to do
their jobs.'
Scottish
Labour leader Jim Murphy said: 'We don't yet know the full extent of
this tragedy, but my thoughts and prayers are with everybody involved.
'People
in Glasgow and across the whole of Scotland will be mourning this loss
of life so close to Christmas. No words will be able to do justice to
the pain the families involved will be feeling this evening.
'I
want to pay tribute to our emergency services, who are performing
heroics in the worst of circumstances. They will have the admiration of
every Glaswegian and all Scots.'
Emergency services are now investigating and have urged anyone in the area to contact relatives
The pavement and surrounding street were left strewn with glass and debris from cars and other vehicles
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said: 'This is a terrible tragedy, right in the heart of Scotland's biggest city.
'No-one expects that ordinary people, out to do some last-minute Christmas shopping, would fail to make it home.
'Everyone's thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost loved ones today.
'Glasgow's
response has been magnificent. Passers-by immediately tried to help the
injured, to direct traffic and assist the emergency services. Those
emergency workers showed huge professionalism treating the wounded,
securing the site and making sure people stayed safe.
'Glasgow has pulled together in recent times during such senseless tragedies, and we've seen it do so again today.'
Prime
Minister David Cameron said: 'I'm being kept fully briefed on the major
incident in Glasgow. My thoughts are with the families of those
involved and the emergency services.'
Labour
leader Ed Miliband said: 'Terrible news from Glasgow - my thoughts are
with all those affected by this horrific accident.'
The
Scottish Fire Service tweeted: 'Firefighters are in attendance at a
serious incident in Queen Street, Glasgow. Our crews are working
alongside other emergency responders.'
Sarah Brown, the wife of former Prime Minister Gordon also expressed her shock in a tweet.
'So
saddened to hear of the fatalities in dreadful #georgesquare crash in
Glasgow - thinking of the families involved,' she wrote.
Describing the scene on Twitter, comedian Janey Godley said: 'Utter horrific carnage, people on ground getting triage.'
John
Maclennan said: 'Seeing injuries in Royal Exchange Square, bin lorry
ran all the way up Queen Street into George Square, awful.'
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