Clutha 10: A look back at one of the biggest tragedies to hit Glasgow
Ten years ago tonight a police helicopter crashed into the Clutha bar killing ten people.
Last updated 29th Nov 2023
Ten years ago tonight, Glasgow came to a standstill when a police helicopter crashed into the Clutha bar in the city centre.
The tragic accident on Friday November 29, 2013 killed three passengers on board and seven people in the bar itself.
Mary Kavanaugh was inside listening to a band with her partner Robert.
She told Clyde 1: "We arrived around 40 minutes before the accident and we weren't drinking alcohol because I was babysitting the next morning.
"I had finished my cranberry juice and Robert said 'I'll go and get you another one love'.
"He went away and that was the last time I saw him."
Around 22.22pm the helicopter crashed into the bar and emergency services declared a major incident.
Emergency services on the scene of the Clutha tragedy on November 29, 2013.
The huge emergency response looking for survivors lasted for days.
The world's media remained on the scene of the accident for days.
The helicopter being pulled from the wreckage on Monday December 2, 2013.
People laid thousands of tributes in the days that followed the crash.
The front of the pub was covered by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in the days and weeks following the crash.
Mary added: "Robert had been gone for around 3 or 4 minutes when there was a thud on the roof and then around 12-15 seconds later there was a crashing sound.
"Everything was black and there was dust everywhere - there was no panic and people were being methodical about things.
"Somebody managed to open the door and one of the first things I remember when I got outside was seeing people with head injuries
"One lady tried to get back inside to find her sister, but I held on to her and told her she couldn't go back inside because I knew something awful had happened.
"In all this time my main thought was 'Where is Robert?' because he still had not come out."
Police, fire and ambulance crews scoured through the rubble for days to find the remaining missing bodies.
Ian O'Prey arrived on the Monday morning to help identify his son Mark.
He told Clyde 1: "My daughter Barbara phoned me on the Saturday morning and told me Mark was inside.
"I just dropped the phone and even though I knew nothing about what had happened, I knew he wasn't coming out of there."
Ian doesn't have anything specific planned for the anniversary and will take the time to reflect quietly.
He added: "For about a year I felt as though I was living in a nightmare and I saw a psychiatrist, but as time goes on I am trying my best just to live as well as I can.
"It is such a terrible tragedy for so many families."
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