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| Six people killed as Glasgow bin lorry crashes into pedestrians | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Six people have been confirmed dead after an out-of-control bin lorry crashed into a group of pedestrians in the centre of Glasgow. | |
| The incident happened as the city centre was crowded with Christmas shoppers on Monday. Witnesses described bodies lying in the road. | |
| Police Scotland declared a major incident. At least seven people were seriously injured. | |
| A police statement said: “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.” | A police statement said: “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.” |
| Supt Stewart Carle said: “For now it does not look to be a criminal or deliberate act that has taken place here this afternoon, but we need to have time to investigate it.” | Supt Stewart Carle said: “For now it does not look to be a criminal or deliberate act that has taken place here this afternoon, but we need to have time to investigate it.” |
| Witnesses said they saw the bin lorry driver slumped at the wheel. Carle said the driver had been taken to hospital and was receiving treatment, but would not comment on what he was being treated for. | Witnesses said they saw the bin lorry driver slumped at the wheel. Carle said the driver had been taken to hospital and was receiving treatment, but would not comment on what he was being treated for. |
| Carle said: “It’s difficult for all the emergency services but particularly for those people who have been in Glasgow today shopping and getting ready for Christmas. There will be a lot of distressed people. | Carle said: “It’s difficult for all the emergency services but particularly for those people who have been in Glasgow today shopping and getting ready for Christmas. There will be a lot of distressed people. |
| “But our officers, the ambulance officers, the fire officers, the city council officers, they are all working together as quickly as possible to bring the scene to a conclusion.” | “But our officers, the ambulance officers, the fire officers, the city council officers, they are all working together as quickly as possible to bring the scene to a conclusion.” |
| One witness, Melanie Greg, told Sky News the lorry had travelled 150 yards along the pavement until it crashed into a building. | One witness, Melanie Greg, told Sky News the lorry had travelled 150 yards along the pavement until it crashed into a building. |
| She said: “The bin lorry just lost control. It went along the pavement, knocking everyone like pinballs. There was a baby in a buggy, and it just continued knocking people down until it ended up in the building. Quite horrific, very scary. | She said: “The bin lorry just lost control. It went along the pavement, knocking everyone like pinballs. There was a baby in a buggy, and it just continued knocking people down until it ended up in the building. Quite horrific, very scary. |
| “The only way it stopped was hitting the building. People were trying to run out of the way. But when something was coming out behind them like that, how can they run out of the way?” | “The only way it stopped was hitting the building. People were trying to run out of the way. But when something was coming out behind them like that, how can they run out of the way?” |
| Up to six ambulances were at the scene on Monday afternoon, along with the police and fire service. Roads surrounding the city centre have been closed. | Up to six ambulances were at the scene on Monday afternoon, along with the police and fire service. Roads surrounding the city centre have been closed. |
| Describing the scene on Twitter, the comedian Janey Godley said: “Utter horrific carnage, people on ground getting triage.” | Describing the scene on Twitter, the comedian Janey Godley said: “Utter horrific carnage, people on ground getting triage.” |
| Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister, tweeted: “My thoughts with everyone involved in dreadful George Square incident. If you are in city centre, please let your relatives know you are OK.” | Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister, tweeted: “My thoughts with everyone involved in dreadful George Square incident. If you are in city centre, please let your relatives know you are OK.” |
| The prime minister, David Cameron, tweeted: “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.” | The prime minister, David Cameron, tweeted: “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.” |
| The Labour leader, Ed Miliband, said: “Terrible news from Glasgow – my thoughts are with all those affected by this horrific accident.” | The Labour leader, Ed Miliband, said: “Terrible news from Glasgow – my thoughts are with all those affected by this horrific accident.” |
| The Scotland secretary, Alistair Carmichael, said: “I share Scotland’s deep shock at the horrible events in Glasgow this afternoon. On the eve of the festive period, these are unimaginable scenes in one of the busiest parts of our largest city. | The Scotland secretary, Alistair Carmichael, said: “I share Scotland’s deep shock at the horrible events in Glasgow this afternoon. On the eve of the festive period, these are unimaginable scenes in one of the busiest parts of our largest city. |
| “My thoughts are with the bereaved, the emergency services dealing with the aftermath and everyone affected by this terrible incident.” | “My thoughts are with the bereaved, the emergency services dealing with the aftermath and everyone affected by this terrible incident.” |
| The local MSP Sandra White, who lives nearby in the Merchant City, came to the scene as soon as she heard about the crash. “People are pretty shocked at the tragedy,” she said. “People have been saying please no, not another tragedy a year after the Clutha Vaults. People are coming into the town centre at this time of year to enjoy themselves and see the shows, and a raggedy like this happens. It really is shocking.” | |
| As darkness fell, visitors to the police cordon began to leave flowers at the scene. Kevin Ainslie, a 28-year-old office worker, first heard about the accident from friends on social media. “It’s really devastating. It’s so sad for everyone involved and it’s the same time of year as the Clutha Vaults.” | |
| Police Scotland have set up a number for anyone who has concerns that their family and friends may be involved in the incident which is 01786 289070. | Police Scotland have set up a number for anyone who has concerns that their family and friends may be involved in the incident which is 01786 289070. |
| Serious accident involving a bin lorry at george squ.At least 5 cars damaged, ambulance taken patients to hospital. pic.twitter.com/rXX13yqOPk | Serious accident involving a bin lorry at george squ.At least 5 cars damaged, ambulance taken patients to hospital. pic.twitter.com/rXX13yqOPk |