OMG, a helicopter crashed into the Clutha Inn in Glasgow

[GoodNeighbour]

Just heard this on BBC News 24.

I hope everybody is ok.
What on earth?!!

[FannyFifer]

or not of.

[PacificDogwood]

I spoke to somebody today who was in the Clutha when it happened - his friends next to him were in hospital with fractured skull and other broken bones.
He's a bit achey and stiff, but mainly very very grateful to be alive but struggling with what he'd seen.

He says the downdraft was such that he was blown off his feet and found himself outside the pub before he'd realised what had happened.

Didi, hope your DH is ok x.

[squoosh]

I cannot believe only a week has passed. Clutha feels like such a part of Glasgow's story already.

[scottishmummy]

It's been long difficult week.

[CookieB]

I am born & bred Glaswegian. I am only 5 mins drive away from the Clutha & pass it it by on a weekly basis. My dearest condolences to family & friends affected by this tragedy . But I will say that I have never been prouder of my wee city for the togetherness & compassion, the thoughtlessness of our own lives to try and help those in danger.

[CookieB]

Sectarianism is in no way a factor in how this disaster should be viewed. My kids great uncle was a Lisbon lion so they are Celtic supporters but I am a rangers fan! This is not an issue whatsoever,well sometimes it is but all in good fun. We might get a bad reputation for many reasons but we are a compassionate lot. Read some comments on DM. Some were sickening. Was nice to read some comments from other countries sending condolences tho. Not many who had visited Glasgow had a bad word to say,just praise on the attitude we have.

[Monty27]

I'm sorry, I can't see anything sectarian in the posts either apart from my own post. I sincerely apologise. I can't even go into why I thought it, because I don't want to offend, I really don't.

I was very stupid to say what I did.

Again, I am sorry.

[PacificDogwood]

Aw, Monty, don't sweat it .

I don't really understand or 'get' sectarianism as I did not grow up here and it is always a surprise when religious allegiances pop up in a non-religious context . My radar is likely v off in that respect.

But I do believe, whatever we might learn in the long run the cause of this tragedy was, sectarianism won't have anything to do with it.

[Didiandb]

Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts.

It's been a really long tough week. DH has struggled and so have I but it is getting easier. I just feel so sad for the people who died or were injured and their families. We are almost on the outskirts of the tragedy and it hurts. I can't imagine how they feel.

As passing comment, I happen to know all GPs have been given info on trauma and how the brain copes. So if you happen to know anyone who was there that night and they are struggling mentally, the gps are equipped to help.

[Monty27]

SSD, I'm so sorry. What a negative thing I said.

I hope all have taken some comfort in the love they've been shown, on here and everywhere else that I've seen.

Condolences to the bereaved and RIP to the lost.

[TeamJavert]

The death toll has sadly just risen to 10. One of the people who were critically injured,has died in hospital. Here.

[PacifistDingDong]

I heard that on the news on the way home today .
RIP.
And 2 of the funerals took place today.

I also heard on Radio Scotland that a number of comedians are putting on a fundraising show at the O2 arena on the 22nd. The tickets sold out within a few hours. One of the performers said they worried whether it was appropriate to stand on a stage and crack jokes in support of the bereaved families and was v touched when one of the deceased's parents got in touch to say this is what their dead son would've liked: laugh death in the face.
I think that is quite typically Weegie as well.

[SocialFlutterBy]

Hi everyone, i haven't commented on this thread before as i simply could not find the words (and i have been so busy this last 2-3 weeks) My Dad was one of the victims John McGarrigle, i just wanted to take a minute to thank each and every one of you all for your kind words and concerns for everyone who was affected or involved and i can't tell you how much the kindness and generosity of everyone not only the people of Glasgow or Scotland but from all over the world has meant to us as a family, I can't praise the emergency services enough for all they have done for us not only in the first few days but right up until even today as we still are involved with the Family Liaison Team though that will be ending really soon, me and my sister arrived at the scene at around 22.50 on the Friday evening we were redirected to Gorbals Leisure Centre quite quickly where we began phoning the hospital's, the police and social workers there were updating us every 15 minutes or so too, this went on until 4.30am even the security staff at the Leisure centre were brilliant, there were press at the font doors so they allowed my sister to leave twice via the back door to go check Dad's house in Cumbernauld by the time it was 4.30 we were informed that all those at the hospital's had been identified and Dad was not among any of the list's , we then joined my brother at the other side of the police cordon's, we only stayed for a bit and went to check Dad's house again just in case he fell asleep on a bus or anything really we were just trying to be optimistic i guess x We got a jacket and some socks and energy drinks for my brother John and returned at 6.45am, we managed to convince my brother to go home for a bit and rest while we tried calling anyone who may have been with my Dad etc as you do in a situation like this after this point my concept of time is disappearing, i can't tell you how we felt as we watched the police salute the private ambulances nothing had been confirmed at this point and later that day (or the next) we had to go for the official Identification, the offers we have received since then have been absolutely overwhelming, it seems like everyone wanted to help whether it be in a small way or huge gestures of kindness, there does not seem to be enough words to express our gratitude to the Police/Fire/Ambulance services etc for all they have done and in some cases still are doing, nothing will ever bring back our Da or any of the other's who sadly lost their life's that night and since but we have taken great comfort from the humanity people from all over have shown in such a horrible situation.

Thanks To All

Linda xoxox

[AgentProvocateur]

What a lovely post, SocialFlutterBy. I hope you and your family can take some comfort this Christmas in knowing that families all over glasgow, and further afield, will be thinking of those involved that night who won't be spending Christmas with their loved ones. Take care.

[scottishmummy]

Oh Linda,so sorry about your father mr mcgarrigle,when I saw your brother john on stv it was gut wrenching.your post is very moving,lump in throat reading it. I hope you all continue to get the support you need and you find comfort knowing as country we were all so upset

Take care,and no stiff upper lip keep talking about your da

[PacificDingbat]

Linda, my deepest condolences.

I am so glad that you seem to feel that you and your family were treated well and kept informed as best possible, even if you did have to face bad news in the end .
It sounds like you are a close family and I hope you can be of some comfort to each other. I am sure you will miss your father deeply and this first Christmas without him must be very hard. I am wishing you peace, love and strength to carry on.
Much love PD x.

[lotsofcheese]

Linda, your post bought a tear to my eye. I, too remember your brother from the television coverage, desperately waiting for news of your dad. He looked so haunted & bereft. My heart goes out to you all.

I don't seem to have adequate words to express how very sorry I am that you, and others, have lost loved ones in such tragic circumstances. I'm glad you felt supported by the emergency services & hope that your family can draw strength from eachother.

Take care of yourself & remember that you are in our thoughts xxx

[FannyFifer]

Oh god Linda your post is heartbreaking, may your dad rest in peace.
Your poor brother standing waiting for his da was the main image from all the coverage of the night that has stayed with me.
Thinking of you and all your family. X

[mariem707]

I haven't been on here in a long time x not really an active member to say x but had to come on and reply when I stumbled across this on google x beautiful words sis (socialflutterby ) x ditto R.I.P DA x