Five females and one male killed in Glasgow lorry crash
Five females and one male were killed when a bin lorry careered out of control in Glasgow city centre, police in Scotland 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 told BBC Radio Scotland: “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.
