Six people are feared dead after a bin lorry crashed in Glasgow city centre this lunchtime
Six people are feared dead after a bin lorry mounted a crowded pavement in Glasgow city centre and slammed into a wall.
Witnesses
say the lorry was out of control as it entered George Square and
ploughed into pedestrians and cars before crashing into an entrance to
Queen Street Station in the Scottish city.
The area was busy with Christmas shoppers at the time and emergency services have called the crash a 'serious incident'
The lorry crashed into a wall next to the entrance to Queen Street Station next to the Millennium Hotel
Ambulance crews battled to save those injured in the crash and witnesses reported many 'walking wounded'
The
street was packed with lunchtime office workers and people going to
Christmas celebrations in the city's main George Square at the time.
The
square has a Christmas ice rink and fairground for the festive season.
The attractions have been closed because of the accident, organisers
said.
The
lorry crashed into an entrance to the Queen Street Station, the second
busiest terminal in the city, from which regular services run
to Edinburgh and the Highlands.
Shoppers
said the lorry lost control as it drove along the busy street and moved
at high speed across the square, knocking over bystanders before it
came to a halt in the hotel wall.
Eyewitness
Joty Chopra, a 21-year-old student, said: 'We were having lunch around
the corner and heard a loud bang and came running out.
'When we got to the scene there were three people lying on the floor - two of them were in a pool of blood.
'The
city centre has been packed today with Christmas shoppers. Other people
around us told how the lorry mounted the pavement at quite a high
speed.
'The emergency services were on the scene really quickly and have cordoned the area off so we can't see much more.'
Photos taken by pedestrians show the smashed windscreen of the vehicle after the accident
Police closed off the square as a huge team of emergency service workers moved in to treat the wounded
Margaret
McLuckie, 42, told the Glasgow Evening Times: 'A bin lorry came through
the lights at speed. It crashed into the Millenium Hotel. It was
terrifying. I just hope they're alright.'
Witness
Brett Molloy, who was at the scene, tweeted: 'Holy s*** this major, 2
Bodies on the road, traffic lights down the lot scary s***.
'Whole of George square is shut off, bodies on the road. Scary man.'
John
McCue added: 'The scenes at Queen Street are like something you would
see out of a film! Horrible accident to happen especially this time of
year.'
Another
witness, Peter Smith, said he saw someone with a white sheet draped
over them on the ground adding: 'No a very nice atmosphere in town at
the moment? No wonder, horrible tragedy'
Debris of parts of cars knocked into by the lorry as it moved across the square was left strewn across the road.
Emergency services at the scene of the accident, which happened at around 2.30pm this afternoon
Witnesses looked on horror-struck after the accident in the crowded city centre square
Daily
Record reporter Keith Jackson, who was at the scene, said: 'There's
walking wounded and lots of people crying and upset. It's pretty
unbelievable; horrendous. Everyone is in complete shock.'
Ambulances and fire crews rushed to the scene around 2.30pm and the area has now been closed off by police as they investigate.
Police
Scotland tweeted: 'We are attending a serious road incident at George
Square in Glasgow, which occurred at 2.30pm. More updates to follow.
'Diversions/road closures in place at George Square - please avoid the area to allow rescue.'
The
Scottish Fire Service tweeted: 'Firefighters are in attendance at a
serious incident in Queen Street, Glasgow. Our crews are working
alongside other emergency responders.'