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First victim of helicopter crash, named

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The first of the eight victims of the helicopter which crashed into the Clutha Vaults pub, has been identified. He was Gary Arthur, aged 48 from the Paisley area. His family has been informed.

Throughout the night, emergency workers will continue to stabilise the site on Glasgow’s riverside, to make it safe for searches for bodies. Police sniffer dogs have already been deployed. Chief Constable Sir Stephen House said: ‘We are dealing with a very sensitive and complex operation.’  The remains of the helicopter have to be removed from the building to enable save searches of the remainder of the popular pub.

An estimated 120 people were in the building listening to the band Esperanza.  Police Scotland reported, mid afternoon on Saturday, that eight people were dead including the two police officers and the civilian pilot in the helicopter.  More than 30 people were taken to hospital after the incident late on Friday night and 14 of them were reported to be serious, mostly with head and chest injuries.

People anxious to find missing relatives who were believed to be in the pub that night  are asked to call the Police Scotland Casualty Bureau number – 0800 092 0410.

The Queen and UK Prime Minister David Cameron were among the first to offer their condolences. Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond and later, his deputy, Nicola Sturgeon have both attended the site of the tragedy.

Prayers will be said in Churches of all denominations on Sunday. Special prayers were said at the nearby St Andrew’s Cathedral in Clyde Street at the Saturday Mass which was led by Archbishop  Tartaglia  who said: ‘I was distressed by the news. My heart goes out to all those who have been affected by this tragic accident.’

Priests from the Cathedral parish have been offering assistance during the search and rescue operations. One of  them, Monsignor Christopher McElroy, said: ‘We shall hold the deceased, the injured and those still engaged in the rescue and recovery at the Clutha in our thoughts and in our prayers.’

 


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