Glasgow helicopter crash: At least three dead at Clutha pub

BBC News,

At least three people have died after a police helicopter crashed into a busy pub in Glasgow, the BBC has been told.

A source close to the investigation said the final number of fatalities would almost certainly be higher.

The crash happened at The Clutha in Stockwell Street at 22:25 on Friday. People are still thought to be trapped.

There were three people on board the helicopter - two officers and a civilian pilot. Thirty-two people have been taken to local hospitals.

A senior fire officer said they had made contact with some people trapped inside the pub but the building was unsafe and they were taking a "methodical" approach to the rescue.

It has been reported that about 120 people were in the pub at the time of the crash. Many were rescued or escaped but others have been trapped by a collapse on the left-hand side of the building.

Emergency services have erected barriers around the scene and specialist rescue teams are in the pub with sniffer dogs.

Some of the injured were taken to a nearby Holiday Inn Express, while more serious casualties were being treated in hospital.

As he left the accident and emergency department of Glasgow Royal Infirmary, a staff member who did not want to be interviewed was asked how serious the injuries were. He replied: "Very".

Glasgow's Health Board said it had put in place its "well-rehearsed major emergency arrangements" and that local hospitals had been on "immediate standby".