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Several pedestrians feared dead in Glasgow bin lorry crash Several pedestrians killed in Glasgow bin lorry crash
(35 minutes later)
Several pedestrians are feared dead after a bin lorry crashed into a group of people in George Square in Glasgow city centre. Several people have been killed after a bin lorry crashed into pedestrians in George Square in central Glasgow.
Police have not confirmed reports of up to six fatalities but described the crash, outside Queen Street station at about 14:30, as "very serious". Police Scotland said there had been "a number of fatalities and people injured" in the crash, outside Queen Street station at about 14:30.
Eyewitnesses reported the bin lorry moving at speed up Queen Street before hearing a bang as it hit a hotel. The crash is being treated as a road traffic incident and police do not believe there is anything "sinister".
Several people were seen lying on the ground following the crash. The scene has been declared "a major incident". At least seven people are believed to have been injured.
Police said: "About 1430 hours today, Monday 22 December 2014, a Glasgow City Council bin lorry was travelling north on Queen Street when it appeared to strike pedestrians outside the Gallery of Modern Art before continuing to travel towards George Square, when it crashed at the Millennium Hotel on Queen Street at George Square.
"There have been a number of fatalities and people injured. Emergency services are currently at the scene. Police have declared the scene a major incident.
"All roads in the surrounding area are closed and people are advised to stay away from George Square and make alternative travel arrangements."
Supt Stewart Carroll of Police Scotland said: "With all the drama of these people may be alarmed and believed it to be something other than what we believe it to be.
"It is a road traffic collision with multiple fatalities. It is a terrible incident but we don't believe there is anything at this juncture that is sinister about the accident."
Supt Carroll said there was a "multiple agency response" from fire, ambulance and police, as well as Glasgow City Council and other support agencies.
He said "the seriously injured and the injured have been taken to the three Glasgow major incident sites".
"We've declared a major incident and we're working with our 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."
Eyewitnesses reported the bin lorry moving at speed up Queen Street before crashing into the Millennium Hotel. Casualties were seen lying on the road.
BBC Scotland's Laura Bicker said: "What we have heard from eyewitnesses is that the bin lorry appears to have careered out of control and hit a number of people.
"We've also heard from one witness who described the driver of the bin lorry as "slumped over the wheel".
'Fighting for lives'
Witness Janey Godley told the BBC News Channel that people were "getting CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on the ground" when she arrived in the square.
"I think I was there just as the ambulances arrived, because there was stuff strewn, debris strewn, all over the street, Christmas shopping all over the street," she said.
Ms Godley said she saw three people being treated by emergency crews.
She said: "People were being worked on, people were fighting for their lives on the pavement as shoppers were standing.
"People just like me had arrived on the most shocking scene they ever wanted to see this Christmas. George Square is a square with a fairground and an ice rink and Santa and the tree and everything."
Ms Godley added: "It was the most horrible thing to watch all the ambulances and the people in the street, and yet the fairground in the background, and people just in shock."
She said it was "an awful tragic thing to happen at this time of year".
Restaurant owner George Smith told BBC Scotland: "It [the lorry] started from the bottom of Royal Exchange Square and crashed into the wall at the Millennium Hotel.Restaurant owner George Smith told BBC Scotland: "It [the lorry] started from the bottom of Royal Exchange Square and crashed into the wall at the Millennium Hotel.
"A customer walked into our restaurant and told us what happened outside. We walked outside and in the first five minutes the first ambulance arrived."A customer walked into our restaurant and told us what happened outside. We walked outside and in the first five minutes the first ambulance arrived.
"The police and ambulance arrived quite fast. I was quite surprised because they were very, very fast.""The police and ambulance arrived quite fast. I was quite surprised because they were very, very fast."
Describing the scene on Twitter, Brett Molloy tweeted: "Whole of George square is shut off, bodies on the road. Scary man.Describing the scene on Twitter, Brett Molloy tweeted: "Whole of George square is shut off, bodies on the road. Scary man.
"Horrible, horrible scenes. Even worse at this time of the year."Horrible, horrible scenes. Even worse at this time of the year.
"City centre is an eerie, eerie place right now.""City centre is an eerie, eerie place right now."
'Really sad'
Kevin @km747 tweeted: "Horrific scenes in George Square. Here now and it's clear to say lives have been lost."Kevin @km747 tweeted: "Horrific scenes in George Square. Here now and it's clear to say lives have been lost."
Restaurant owner George Smith told the BBC he had heard that the bin lorry driver had suffered a heart attack and the vehicle had careered along the street before hitting the pedestrians outside the Millennium Hotel.
He said that the emergency services were on the scene within minutes, adding: "It's really, really sad."
A large number of emergency vehicles are in attendance and roads surrounding George Square have been closed.A large number of emergency vehicles are in attendance and roads surrounding George Square have been closed.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: "There is an ongoing incident involving a bin lorry on George Square."
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "Firefighters are in attendance at a serious incident on Queen Street.A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "Firefighters are in attendance at a serious incident on Queen Street.
"We received a 999 call at 2.30pm reporting a collision and currently have five appliances at the scene."We received a 999 call at 2.30pm reporting a collision and currently have five appliances at the scene.
"Our crews are working alongside other emergency responders to conduct a rescue operation.""Our crews are working alongside other emergency responders to conduct a rescue operation."
Are you in the area? If you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist about the accident please email your comment and contact number to haveyoursay@bbc.co A spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: "Along with all the emergency services, we have an emergency plan that automatically kicks in when there is a major incident."
Are you in the area? If you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist about the accident please email your comment and contact number to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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