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Glasgow police investigate George Square fatal bin lorry crash Bin lorry deaths: Bodies removed after George Square crash
(35 minutes later)
Police are carrying out investigations at the scene of a fatal bin lorry crash in Glasgow, which left six people dead. The six victims of the fatal bin lorry crash in Glasgow have been removed from the scene.
A further eight were injured on Monday as the apparently out-of-control lorry mounted the pavement in the busy city centre, before crashing into a hotel. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the formal process of identification would now take place.
One eyewitness said the lorry driver, who was treated in hospital, had been "slumped over his wheel". Six people were killed and eight injured after the lorry careered out of control in Glasgow city centre and ploughed into pedestrians.
Dozens of floral tributes have been placed near the scene, and prayers are due to be held at a church gathering. Ms Sturgeon praised the response of the people of Glasgow but said it was "a city with a broken heart".
Police Scotland said there appeared to be nothing "sinister" about the crash. The lorry had mounted the pavement, packed with Christmas shoppers, before crashing into a hotel at about 14:30 on Monday.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "The emergency services have been on the scene all night. The bodies of those who sadly lost their lives have now been taken away from the scene. There will be a process of formal identification still to go through today. Eyewitnesses said the lorry driver, who was one of those taken to hospital, had been "slumped over his wheel".
'Simply devastating'
George Ieronymdis, owner of the Elia Greek Restaurant on George Square, said he had been told that three of the bin lorry's crew were seen jumping from the vehicle and holding their heads in their hands, looking devastated.
Dozens of floral tributes have been placed near the scene, and prayers are due to be held by the Church of Scotland later.
Minister Alastair Duncan will be leading the prayers at nearby St George's Tron Church from 11:30.
The church will be open from 10:00 until 16:00 "for those who wish to say a prayer in their own time and sign a book of condolence".
Church of Scotland Moderator John Chalmers said: "The news from the city centre of Glasgow just a few days before Christmas is simply devastating.
"For the second year in a row, Glaswegians will have to dig deep into their reserves of compassion and sympathy as they support the families of those who have been killed and injured today."
Archbishop Philip Tartaglia will say mass for the victims at St Andrew's Cathedral in Glasgow on Wednesday.
Police Scotland said there appeared to be nothing "sinister" about the crash and are still carrying out investigations at the scene.
The first minister told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "The emergency services have been on the scene all night.
"The bodies of those who sadly lost their lives have now been taken away from the scene. There will be a process of formal identification still to go through today.
"Clearly it is the priority of all those involved to find out what caused this incident and give the families of those involved the answers they are seeking.""Clearly it is the priority of all those involved to find out what caused this incident and give the families of those involved the answers they are seeking."
BBC Scotland correspondent James Shaw Ms Sturgeon added: "I think all of us [watching] on our televisions were again struck by just how readily people run into a scene of potential danger to help those who have been injured, those who have been affected. There was a sense in the city last night of everybody rallying round.
It is a pretty bleak and desolate scene this morning. The Christmas lights in George Square have been turned off. In front of me, as I look down to George Square there is a big metal barrier in place. "There is something quite incredible about the spirit in this city. Everybody knows it is a city with a big, big heart.
That is screening off the crash site and the bin lorry, as far as we know, is still located there. "This morning it is a city with a broken heart but it will get through this as it got through the Clutha tragedy."
Those investigations as to how this happened will be carrying on. We think that the bodies of those who have died would have been removed over night.
We believe that the driver had two other people in the cab with him, so presumably they will be very important witnesses in the investigation, which of course will take some time.
Ms Sturgeon said flags would fly at half-mast on government buildings on Tuesday out of respect.Ms Sturgeon said flags would fly at half-mast on government buildings on Tuesday out of respect.
She called the crash "absolutely heartbreaking", while city council leader Gordon Matheson described it as a "terrible tragedy".She called the crash "absolutely heartbreaking", while city council leader Gordon Matheson described it as a "terrible tragedy".
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected," he said."Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected," he said.
Police Scotland have asked for anyone with photographs, videos or any type of mobile footage of the incident to contact them, using a dedicated email address.Police Scotland have asked for anyone with photographs, videos or any type of mobile footage of the incident to contact them, using a dedicated email address.
The first casualty is believed to have been a pedestrian struck by the bin lorry close to the Gallery of Modern Art (Goma) several hundred yards from where it eventually came to rest.The first casualty is believed to have been a pedestrian struck by the bin lorry close to the Gallery of Modern Art (Goma) several hundred yards from where it eventually came to rest.
The lorry, operated by the city council, flattened street signs as it travelled along Queen Street and the side of George Square.The lorry, operated by the city council, flattened street signs as it travelled along Queen Street and the side of George Square.
It finally crashed into the Millennium Hotel, beside the entrance to Queen Street station in George Square, at 14:30 GMT.It finally crashed into the Millennium Hotel, beside the entrance to Queen Street station in George Square, at 14:30 GMT.
George Ieronymdis, owner of the Elia Greek Restuarant on George Square, said he had been told that three of the bin lorry's crew were seen jumping from the vehicle and holding their heads in their hands, looking devastated.
Anjan Luthra, who works nearby and was one of the first people on the scene, said he saw "three or four bodies" and other people running away from the lorry.Anjan Luthra, who works nearby and was one of the first people on the scene, said he saw "three or four bodies" and other people running away from the lorry.
"I've never seen anything like that in my life, it was like a war scene. It literally was," he said."I've never seen anything like that in my life, it was like a war scene. It literally was," he said.
Eight people injured in the crash - including the driver - are receiving treatment at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, the Southern General and the Western Infirmary.Eight people injured in the crash - including the driver - are receiving treatment at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, the Southern General and the Western Infirmary.
A spokesman for the Institute of Traffic Accident Investigators said that vehicles, even large ones, can carry on for a considerable distance if there is an "unintended acceleration", which could be caused by a driver falling ill.A spokesman for the Institute of Traffic Accident Investigators said that vehicles, even large ones, can carry on for a considerable distance if there is an "unintended acceleration", which could be caused by a driver falling ill.
"Without speculating on this incident, there might be a number of causes for a vehicle to travel a considerable distance," he said."Without speculating on this incident, there might be a number of causes for a vehicle to travel a considerable distance," he said.
'Simply devastating'
The Church of Scotland is inviting people to pray for those affected by the tragedy.
Minister Alastair Duncan will be leading the prayers at nearby St George's Tron Church from 11:30 GMT on Tuesday.
The church will be open from 10:00 until 16:00 "for those who wish to say a prayer in their own time and sign a book of condolence".
Church of Scotland Moderator John Chalmers, said: "The news from the city centre of Glasgow just a few days before Christmas is simply devastating.
"For the second year in a row, Glaswegians will have to dig deep into their reserves of compassion and sympathy as they support the families of those who have been killed and injured today."
Archbishop Philip Tartaglia will say mass for the victims at St Andrew's Cathedral in Glasgow on Wednesday.
Are you in Glasgow? Do you have any information to share? If you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist please email your comment and contact number to haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you in Glasgow? Do you have any information to share? If you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist please email your comment and contact number to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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