Tragic incident in Glasgow

[Antman]

Several people are feared dead after a refuge truck ploughed into pedestrians in Georges Square

 

[Strathclyder]

Several pedestrians feared dead in Glasgow bin lorry crash

Several pedestrians are feared dead after a bin lorry crashed into a group of people in George Square in Glasgow city centre.

Police have not confirmed reports of up to six fatalities but described the crash, outside Queen Street station at about 14:30, as "very serious".

Eyewitnesses reported the bin lorry moving at speed up Queen Street before hearing a bang as it hit a hotel.

Several people were seen lying on the ground following the crash.

Restaurant owner George Smith told BBC Scotland: "It [the lorry] started from the bottom of Royal Exchange Square and crashed into the wall at the Millennium Hotel.

"A customer walked into our restaurant and told us what happened outside. We walked outside and in the first five minutes the first ambulance arrived.

"The police and ambulance arrived quite fast. I was quite surprised because they were very, very fast."

Describing the scene on Twitter, Brett Molloy tweeted: "Whole of George square is shut off, bodies on the road. Scary man.

"Horrible, horrible scenes. Even worse at this time of the year.

"City centre is an eerie, eerie place right now."

'Really sad'

Kevin @km747 tweeted: "Horrific scenes in George Square. Here now and it's clear to say lives have been lost."

Restaurant owner George Smith told the BBC he had heard that the bin lorry driver had suffered a heart attack and the vehicle had careered along the street before hitting the pedestrians outside the Millennium Hotel.

He said that the emergency services were on the scene within minutes, adding: "It's really, really sad."

A large number of emergency vehicles are in attendance and roads surrounding George Square have been closed.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-30580114

My thoughts are with the families of the victims and the driver of the lorry. Absolutely horrific, especially at this time of the year.

 

[PG]

Thoughts go out to all involved and their loved ones in this tragic incident.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Fatalities have been confirmed already. Absolutely awful, just three days before Christmas. Thoughts and prayers with all involved.

 

[GatwickDepress]

My thoughts to everyone involved with this incident. It'd be horrific anytime of the year, but so close to Christmas too...

 

[Saint66]

Police don't believe that there is anything sinister behind the incident.

 

[Antman]

Police don't believe that there is anything sinister behind the incident.

Unconfirmed reports that the driver suffered a heart attack.

Something like this is bad enough at any time, all the more so just before Christmas

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Horrible occurrence. Many road vehicles can inflict terrible injuries, but these refuse collection vehicles seem to resemble very heavy armoured trucks.

 

[Whistler40145]

Indeed Paul, it's an horrific situation, yes these refuse collection vehicles are built like an armoured vehicle.

My thoughts go out to the families of those involved.

They won't be having a wonderful Christmas.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The BBC Radio 4 news at 1800 gives the death toll as 6.

 

[tranzitjim]

It made the hourly news break here in Australia this morning.

My sympathies to all of the victims.

 

[St Rollox]

Terrible terrible tragedy.
The Glasgow area in my lifetime alone seems to be haunted by these terrible incidents.
My heart goes out to all those affected.

 

[GearJammer]

Horrible occurrence. Many road vehicles can inflict terrible injuries, but these refuse collection vehicles seem to resemble very heavy armoured trucks.

You have to bare in mind where they go to tip the rubbish once its collected, landfill sites etc and make shift roads are the norm, its a rough environment and tough old job they do and all that compacting stuff they carry is heavy, they have to be well built.

Very sad incident for all involved, I do feel so sorry for the driver, to have a heart attack is bad enough, knowing what happened and the consequences of his is going to make his recovery all the harder im sure.

 

[mbonwick]

The weight of bin lorries is a bit of a grey area - I'm sure I heard somewhere that the rear axle(s) are technically overloaded even if the wagon is empty due to the weight of the compaction gear hanging off the back...

 

[Butts]

I was at Queen Street last night on my way to Glasgow Airport , I came out to walk to Central and found the whole of George Square was screened off. All the TV Networks were present with people being interviewed in The Street.

Tragic, after Clutha last year and just before Christmas again.