London: At least six people are feared dead and 32 injured after a police helicopter crashed into a pub in the Scottish city of Glasgow.
The Eurocopter EC135 T2 chopper had a crew of three consisting of two police officers and a civilian pilot as it came down on the Clutha Vaults pub last night on the bank of the River Clyde, which was packed with more than 100 people at the time who were listening to a performing band.
“There were three people on board the helicopter, two police officers and a civilian pilot, and on a busy Friday night, there were a number of customers in the bar,” said Rose Fitzpatrick, deputy chief constable, Police Scotland.
“We are working hard to recover people still inside the building and we will make further details available when we have them,” she said. “A full investigation is now under way however at this early stage it is too early to provide details on why the helicopter came down,” she added. Investigators from the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) arrived on the scene this morning trying to piece together what had happened.
Alex Salmond, the First Minister for Scotland, had posted a message on Twitter saying we should “prepare ourselves for the likelihood of fatalities”.
Nicola Sturgeon, Deputy First Minister of Scotland, added, “Absolutely awful news about a helicopter crashing into the Clutha. All my thoughts are with everyone involved and the emergency services.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted, “My thoughts are with everyone affected by the helicopter crash in Glasgow – and the emergency services working tonight.” Police have confirmed that 32 people, with “multiple types of injury” had so far been taken to hospitals across the city – Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the Western Infirmary – following the crash.a “Emergency services responded immediately and remain at the scene at the present time. Cordons have been put in place to allow the rescue operation to take place,” a Police Scotland spokesperson said. (PTI)