Helicopter crashes into Glasgow pub

2013-11-30 551

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)

STORY: A police helicopter crashed into a pub in Glasgow on Friday (November 29) night, causing multiple injuries as dust and debris was thrown across the busy drinking hole during a concert, eyewitnesses said.

Scotland 's first minister, Alex Salmond, said people should prepare for the likelihood of fatalities. Three people were on board the helicopter, police said.

The helicopter spiralled into the Clutha pub on the banks of the River Clyde, collapsing part of the roof but the aircraft did not appear to have caught fire, witnesses said.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) EYEWITNESS INSIDE PUB, WILLIAM LAMONT, SAYING:

"I turned around to face towards the bar, just as a huge plume of smoke came out. You could hear people screaming."

Footage from the scene showed the mangled helicopter embedded in the roof of the pub surrounded by dozens of emergency vehicles.

A member of Parliament from the opposition Labour party described