Police Probe Lorry Death Crash

Матеріал з Луцький НВК "Гімназія №14"

Police probe lorry death crash By
Published: 00:05 BST, 23 December 2014 | Updated: 00:06 BST, 23 December 2014
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Police are investigating what caused a bin lorry to veer out of control in a packed city street, killing six people.

A further eight people were injured when the refuse truck mounted the pavement in Glasgow city centre before crashing into the side of a hotel.

The accident happened in George Square which was packed with Christmas shoppers and families enjoying the winter carnival held there each year.
The bin lorry crashed into a group of pedestrians and then hit a hotel

Tonight the festive lights were extinguished and access to the square was blocked by large police screens where more than 30 floral tributes have been laid.

Witnesses described seeing bodies lying in the road following the crash at around 2.30pm.

It is thought the lorry driver may have taken ill at the wheel as he travelled up Queen Street and his vehicle struck a pedestrian outside the Gallery of Modern Art.

The lorry continued on and hit several other people, only coming to halt when it crashed into the Millennium Hotel on George Square.

Prayers will be said for the victims at a special church service tomorrow.

Chief Inspector Mark Sutherland from Police Scotland said at the scene tonight: "We are currently working with our other agencies to establish exactly what happened.

"It's important that we do a thorough investigation to establish the full circumstances.

"It's important that we take all the necessary steps to do it as quickly as we can so that we get the answers for the families and get their loved ones back to them as quick as we can."

The tragedy struck just over a year after the Clutha Bar helicopter crash in Glasgow.

Ten people died when a police helicopter crashed on to the roof of the pub on November 29 last year.

Those injured in the George Square crash, including the driver, are being treated at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, the Southern General and the Western Infirmary.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "My thoughts are with everyone involved in this tragic incident, and especially with the friends and families of the six people who lost their lives in what is another sad day for Glasgow and Scotland."

Prime Minister David Cameron said: My thoughts are with the families of those involved and the emergency services.

Witness Melanie Greg said the lorry travelled around 150 yards along the pavement before crashing in George Square.

She told Sky News: "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?"

She added: "There was noise, bangs, screams and everything.
It was just horrific."

Superintendent Stewart Carle said at the scene earlier: "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 and certainly the city will need to come round those people that have been traumatised by the incident."

A note attached to a bunch of pink roses left at the scene read: "To all those who lost their lives and witnessed this horrible tragedy."

Police Scotland SpinatGlasGarten have set up a number for anyone concerned that a family member or friend may have been involved in the incident: 01786 289070.

They are appealing to members of the public who have photographs, videos or any type of mobile footage of the incident to send it to a dedicated email address: georgesquareincident@scotland.pnn.police.uk.
Emergency services at the scene in George Square
A member of the public is comforted by members of the emergency services close to the scene in Glasgow's George Square
A police officer at the scene of the bin lorry crash in Glasgow - the lorry can be seen in the background