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Several pedestrians killed in Glasgow bin lorry crash Several pedestrians killed in Glasgow bin lorry crash
(35 minutes later)
Several people have been killed and a number of others injured after an out-of-control bin lorry crashed into pedestrians in central Glasgow.Several people have been killed and a number of others injured after an out-of-control bin lorry crashed into pedestrians in central Glasgow.
The council vehicle then crashed into the Millennium Hotel, near Queen Street station in George Square, at 14:30.The council vehicle then crashed into the Millennium Hotel, near Queen Street station in George Square, at 14:30.
Eyewitnesses described emergency services battling to save the lives of injured people on the street.Eyewitnesses described emergency services battling to save the lives of injured people on the street.
Police Scotland have declared a major incident but said there appeared to be nothing "sinister" about the crash.Police Scotland have declared a major incident but said there appeared to be nothing "sinister" about the crash.
The force has launched a dedicated number - 01786 289070 - for anyone who has concerns about relatives or friends.The force has launched a dedicated number - 01786 289070 - for anyone who has concerns about relatives or friends.
Eyewitnesses reported the bin lorry moving at speed up Queen Street before crashing into the Millennium Hotel. Casualties were seen lying on the road. Police said the bin lorry was travelling north on Queen Street, outside the Gallery of Modern Art, when "it was in a collision with a pedestrian".
'Out of control''Out of control'
It then continued north on Queen Street, mounted the pavement and struck a number of other pedestrians, before crashing into the Millennium Hotel at George Square, which is the scene of Glasgow's annual Christmas festival.
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.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'.""We've also heard from one witness who described the driver of the bin lorry as 'slumped over the wheel'."
Eyewitness Stephen McNeil said: "I was coming out of a shop and we looked over to the left and we saw this woman screaming and this man on the floor.
"We looked around the road further and we seen this bin lorry just mounting the kerb going left to right just hitting people where they were standing. Such a horrible scene."
Witness Janey Godley told the BBC News Channel that people were "getting CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on the ground" when she arrived in the square.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."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. Anjan Luthra witnessed the crash. He told BBC News: "I work in George Square and had nipped out for lunch, and was in the queue in Greggs. All of a sudden I heard this screaming and quite a consistent racket.
She said: "People were being worked on, people were fighting for their lives on the pavement as shoppers were standing. "I ran out of the store and right directly across from me, I was just watching a very very heavy bin lorry just flatten bodies on the pavement. It was driving along the pavement and taking everything along with it, and then it went across the street.
"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." "Immediately people started calling 999, and started directing traffic.
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." "There were two bodies right in the centre of the T-junction who were getting CPR mouth-to-mouth and there were some bodies that were so fatally injured that you couldn't really do anything."
She said it was "an awful tragic thing to happen at this time of year". A Police Scotland spokesman 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.
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."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.""All roads in the surrounding area are closed and people are advised to stay away from George Square and make alternative travel arrangements."
Police Scotland later said the crash was "not a terrorism-related incident".
Supt Stewart Carle of Police Scotland said: "With all the drama, people may be alarmed and believed it to be something other than what we believe it to be.Supt Stewart Carle of Police Scotland said: "With all the drama, 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.""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 Carle said there was a "multiple agency response" from fire, ambulance and police, as well as Glasgow City Council and other support agencies.Supt Carle 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".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.""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."
Supt Carle told how police "will be here now for many hours and throughout the night as we investigate the scene and eventually as we recover the dead".
All casualties, including the driver of the bin lorry, have been taken to the Southern General Hospital, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the Western Infirmary.All casualties, including the driver of the bin lorry, have been taken to the Southern General Hospital, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the Western Infirmary.
'Dreadful incident''Dreadful incident'
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "My thoughts are with everyone involved in the dreadful George Square incident."First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "My thoughts are with everyone involved in the dreadful George Square incident."
Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson was in Glasgow at the time of the accident and paid tribute to the way people reacted. 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."
She said: "I was in Argyle Street doing my Christmas shopping. Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson said: "This is a terrible tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected."
"It would appear that the response, just like last year with the Clutha disaster, by passers-by, pedestrians, normal Glaswegians has been magnificent.
"They came to aid at the very beginning. They stopped traffic as soon as the emergency services got there.
"They followed all instructions. They did everything that they could."
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.
"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.
"Horrible, horrible scenes. Even worse at this time of the year.
"City centre is an eerie, eerie place right now."
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 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."
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."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.ukAre 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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