Police Helicopter Crashes Into Glasgow Pub Roof

A police helicopter has crashed into a pub roof on the banks of the River Clyde in central Glasgow.

The aircraft came down on The Clutha in Stockwell Street at 10.25pm which was packed with more than 100 people at the time.

Police Scotland said a crew of two officers and a civilian pilot were on board the helicopter, but added the force was "not in a position to confirm any details regarding injuries".

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said "a number of casualties" had been taken to hospital, while crews worked to stabilise the "very unsafe building" and free others who remained trapped inside.

Two police officers and one civilian pilot were on board the helicopter

Glasgow Royal Infirmary said nine people were being treated at the hospital, but gave no further details on their condition.

Emergency services confirmed search and rescue dogs were assisting police and 125 firefighters at the venue, where a local band were playing on Friday evening.

One image of the crash on social media sites showed the dark blue helicopter on the roof with yellow "Police" insignia on part of the wreckage.

First Minister Alex Salmond said that given the scale of the Glasgow helicopter crash, "we must all prepare ourselves for the likelihood of fatalities".

Grace MacLean, who was in the pub at the time, told Sky News: "We heard a whoosh and some smoke ... the roof was gradually coming down.

"You couldn't breathe for inhaling a mouthful of dust. You couldn't see anything. You were clawing at the walls to see where the exit is.

"People were helping each other out. People had some head injuries. Lots of people were covered in dust."

Labour's international development spokesman Jim Murphy, who was among those helping the wounded out of the pub, tweeted: "Terrible here in Glasgow Helicopter crashed into roof of pub".

Those inside the pub gather outside after the crash Pic: Paul Agnew

He told Sky News: "I just saw dozens and dozens of people coming out of the pub. It is a horrible, horrible scene.

"The helicopter is currently embedded in the roof of the pub and the emergency services are doing their very, very best to get the people who are still inside the pub, and probably those who were in the helicopter, to safety."

Mr Murphy said people formed a human chain to help pass unconscious people out of the pub so that "inch by inch, we could get the people out".

He said: "I think the building's only about 18ft, 20ft, tall so part of the helicopter is sticking out, but most of the helicopter is in the building."

Connor Gillies, from Radio Clyde News, described the "scenes of chaos" and "continuous stream of sirens" in the area.

"There is panic here, cordons for miles around the area," he told Sky News.

Mr Gillies described seeing "blood on the shirt" of Mr Murphy, who he said was "clearly very shaken, very upset by the whole thing".

Wesley Shearer, who posted pictures on Twitter of the scene, said there had been "talk of fatalities", but this has not been confirmed.

"This is unbelievable," he tweeted shortly after the crash. "Just spent 20 minutes pulling people out of the bar."

The Clutha is situated in Stockwell Street in Glasgow

Jan Hollands, who also tweeted pictures from the scene, said she heard the crash and described it as "scary".

Gordon Smart, editor of the Sun's Scottish edition, witnessed the aircraft plunge into the pub.

He told Sky News: "It was a terrifying sight. I was on the roof of a car park, six floors up, getting into my car, about to drive home for the evening. I looked up and saw a helicopter which I think was a police helicopter falling out of the sky.

"It was like a stone dropping from the sky. It landed a few 100 yards from me. Strangely there was no explosion.

"It was just a strange, surreal moment. It looked like it was dropping from a great height, at a great speed.

"There was no fireball and I did not hear an explosion. The engine seemed to be spluttering."

Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "My thoughts are with everyone affected by the helicopter crash in Glasgow - and the emergency services working tonight."

The Police Roll of Honour Trust tweeted "Our thoughts are with the crew of @policescotland SP99 helicopter that has crashed in Glasgow - hoping everyone is alright."

Glasgow Central Mosque, located close to the pub on the opposite side of the Clyde, tweeted: "Have told emergency crew that we r on standby & can make available mosque & volunteers to assist in any way to aid injured & emergency crew."

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