Scottish helicopter pub crash causes numerous casualties

GLASGOW: A police helicopter smashed through the roof of a crowded pub in the Scottish city of Glasgow, causing numerous casualties including probable deaths and leaving several people trapped in the rubble, officials said Saturday.

Emergency services said they had been in contact with an unknown number of people inside the wreckage of the Clutha Pub, where more than 100 revellers had been listening to a band before the freak accident on Friday night.

Witnesses said they saw the chopper dropping like a stone from the sky, while people inside the pub heard a whooshing sound before the roof caved in and the air filled with dust and screams.

Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond confirmed that a police helicopter had been involved in the "tragic accident", adding: "Given an incident of this scale we must all prepare ourselves for the likelihood of fatalities.

"Police said there were two police officers and a civilian pilot on board the Eurocopter EC135 helicopter but did not give details of their condition, and said it was too early to say what caused the crash.

Fire brigade officer Lewis Ramsay told reporters that "fire crews have been in contact with people trapped within Clutha bar and have also rescued numerous casualties".

There were "multiple types of injuries" among those who had been rescued, he said.

Ramsay said that 125 firefighters were "working to make sure the building is safe to get people out" and that the building was "very unsafe".

The helicopter appeared to have smashed through the top of the single-storey pub on the banks of the River Clyde, with a rotor blade sticking out of the roof.

Dozens of firefighters and paramedics were swarming around the scene, with emergency services also apparently securing the building with cables and a cherry-picker.

Police officer Rose Fitzgerald said it was too early to say why the helicopter crashed.

"I can confirm there are a number of casualties but it is too early at this stage to provide further details. We will provide further updates at the appropriate time," she said.