6 killed as Glasgow garbage truck mounts pavement
At least six people have been killed and several other injured after a garbage truck mounted the pavement and crashed into a crowd of shoppers in Glasgow city centre.
The truck ploughed into a crowd of pedestrians and crashed into the side of the Millennium hotel in George Square. The people were waiting to cross the road outside Queen Street Station. Initial reports suggested that the driver lost control of the vehicle.
Eight people receiving treatment for their injuries across three Glasgow city hospitals. We will update further when we can. #georgesquare
— Police Scotland (@policescotland) December 22, 2014
Serious accident involving a bin lorry at george squ.At least 5 cars damaged, ambulance taken patients to hospital. pic.twitter.com/rXX13yqOPk
— Hannah Rodger (@hannahwrites01) December 22, 2014
Roads surrounding George Square were closed, with police, fire services and at least six ambulances in attendance.
Injuries reported after 'very serious' bin lorry crash in George Square in Glasgow http://t.co/0gdOUrn6YHpic.twitter.com/dekEPsRe75
— SirCliveTheRed (@EPLinEngland) December 22, 2014
A police statement said: “A Glasgow city council bin lorry was travelling north on Queen Street when it appeared to strike pedestrians outside the Gallery of Modern Art before continuing to travel towards George Square, when it crashed at the Millennium hotel on Queen Street at George Square.”
Glaswegians already showing compassion & solidarity. Glasgow cabbie will take anyone affected home/hospital for free pic.twitter.com/28LWT3Jizg
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) December 22, 2014
Police Scotland later added on its Twitter page that "Sadly, six people have died as a result of the #GeorgeSquare major road incident."
My thoughts with everyone involved in dreadful #GeorgeSquare incident. If you are in city centre, please let your relatives know you are ok.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) December 22, 2014
Superintendent Stewart Carle of Police Scotland said that the tragedy appeared to be "a road traffic accident, nothing more sinister."
"For now it does not look to be a criminal or deliberate act that has taken place here this afternoon, but we need to have time to investigate it," Carle said, as quoted by AP. He added that the truck driver is being treated in a nearby hospital.
I'm being kept fully briefed on the major incident in Glasgow. My thoughts are with the families of those involved & the emergency services.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) December 22, 2014
The timing of the accident coincided with two separate attacks in France, in which vehicles were driven into pedestrians and dozens of people were injured. At least in one of the incidents the perpetrator shouted "Allahu Akbar" before ramming into the crowd.
READ MORE: 10 injured as man drives van into Christmas fair in Nantes, France
