Five Females And One Male Killed In Glasgow Crash

Five females and one male were killed when a bin lorry careered out of control in Glasgow city centre, police have said.

A further 10 people were injured when the truck mounted a pavement before crashing into the side of a hotel yesterday afternoon.

The accident happened in George Square, which was packed with Christmas shoppers and families enjoying the annual winter carnival.

Police Scotland said in a statement: As a result of the collision, six people died and 10 people were injured, including the driver.

Seven casualties were taken to hospital by the ambulance service, two walked in to hospital and one was treated at the scene. Four have since been discharged.

There are currently six people in hospital being treated for their injuries. Two have been moved to the Intensive Therapy Unit for further monitoring.

The deceased includes one male and five females.''

Police refused to comment on reports that three members of the same family are feared to be among the victims.

One witness yesterday described the lorry as knocking people down ''like pinballs'' in the crash, which happened at around 2.30pm.

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

The truck continued, hitting several other people and only coming to a halt when it crashed into the side of Millennium Hotel in George Square.

A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said there were two other crew members on the lorry at the time of the crash, but said the condition of the two men was not known.

A large cordon remains in place at the square and dozens of floral tributes have been placed at the scene.

A fleet of private ambulances carrying the dead left the area earlier this morning

The Christmas lights have been switched off in George Square and flags on public buildings in the city are flying at half-mast.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the city was waking up with a broken heart''.

She said: As the city wakes up this morning, the sheer sense of horror and grief that happened yesterday will be very, very raw for people.

Obviously all of our thoughts first and foremost are with those who waken up as bereaved families this morning. It is almost impossible to imagine what they are going through and I know that everyone across the city, across Scotland, across the UK will be thinking of them today.''

But she praised the city's resilience, adding: There was a sense in the city last night of everybody rallying round.

''There is something quite incredible about the spirit in the city. Everybody knows it is a city with a big, big heart.

''This morning it's a city with a broken heart but it will get through this.

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

The Reverend Alastair Duncan will lead the service at the nearby St George's Tron.

Ms Sturgeon visited the scene of the tragedy accompanied by council leader Gordon Matheson and Lord Provost Sadie Docherty.

She met a number of police officers and spent time looking at the floral tributes which had been left nearby.

Yesterday's tragedy struck just over 12 months 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.

Ms Sturgeon said that an incredible year for the city - which hosted the Commonwealth Games in the summer - had been bookended by two unimaginable tragedies''.

Speaking at the scene she said: I would like to take this opportunity again to convey my deep condolences to the bereaved families, those who have lost loved ones in this awful tragedy.

My thoughts are also with those who remain in hospital having sustained injuries and with the many members of the public who witnessed yesterday traumatic scenes, which I'm sure will live with them for a very long time.

I also want to take the opportunity to thank from the bottom of my heart our emergency services, our police, our fire services, our ambulance workers do a job, they do an excellent and professional job but yesterday again we were reminded of how often they are called upon to go beyond the call of duty and all of us are deeply grateful for the job they do on our behalf seeking to keep us safe.''

She continued: Glasgow this morning is a broken hearted city. 2014 has been such an incredible year for this wonderful city, the Commonwealth Games were such an outstanding success, but it is a year that has been bookended by two unimaginable tragedies, the Clutha at the end of last year and now this awful tragedy that unfolded here yesterday.

But Glasgow is a resilient city, we saw last year and we have seen again in the last 24 hours the incredible spirit of the people of Glasgow and this city will pull together to support those who have been affected, not just in the days ahead but in the weeks and months to come.

We are reminded today of that spirit of Glasgow, this is a city I am so deeply proud to call my home and I know I will be one of many whose thoughts and prayers particularly over the Christmas period are with all those who have been so tragically affected by what happened yesterday.

I hope it is of some small comfort to them to know that our thoughts are very much with them.''

Ms Sturgeon said that like everyone else'' she wanted to know what had causedthis dreadful incident''.

Police officers are working very, very hard to find out so that those answers can be provided'', she added

It is understandable that people want answers and they want answers as quickly as possible, but it is also important our highly professional and highly skilled police force get the time and the space to carry out the investigation they are tasked with doing so those answers can be forthcoming.''

She said the police were absolutely focused on completing that investigation as quickly as possible and giving people the answers they seek''.