Glasgow Helicopter Crash: No Mayday From Pilot

The pilot of the police helicopter that plunged into Glasgow’s Clutha pub killing nine people made no mayday call before the crash.

Dave Miller, deputy chief inspector of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, told reporters there was no explosion and no fire before the helicopter fell onto the roof of the building causing debris to land on customers below.

He said there was no ‘black box’ flight recorder on board but it does have a “significant number of modern electronic systems on board and it may be possible to recover details from those systems”.

Nothing fell from the craft before the accident and the helicopter rotors were intact at the moment of impact.

The bodies of four victims trapped inside the wrecked Clydeside venue were removed after the “extensively damaged” Eurocopter craft was lifted out by crane.

Rescue and recovery teams are now searching the area below the aircraft.

At least three bodies are still believed to be in the rubble, and investigators have not ruled out the possibility there may be more victims.

Police have named five of the nine people killed in the crash. They hope to formally identify the remaining four later this evening. 

Emergency service workers formed a guard of honour to pay their respects to victims of Friday night’s crash as the four bodies were driven away in private ambulances.

Pope Francis has sent a message expressing his “closeness” to the people of Glasgow following the tragedy.

In a statement to the Commons, Scotland Secretary Alistair Carmichael praised the bravery of the public and emergency services who helped victims of the crash, saying “they responded with no thought for personal safety”.

Hundreds of flowers have been left at the scene, and the city held a minute’s silence at 6pm.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon spoke briefly to reporters as he left a wreath outside The Clutha.

“It’s an unforeseen tragedy that’s affected the whole city, and the city is united in grief at the minute. There’s an eerie atmosphere around the place at the minute, which you can understand,” he said.

Meanwhile, relatives have expressed anger at the time it has taken to recover their love ones.

John McGarrigle, whose father, also John, is thought to be among the dead, said: “What about the dignity for the human beings underneath that police helicopter? If they’ve got one out, they can get the rest out.”

More than 100 people were in the pub listening to a ska band when the helicopter hit at 10.25pm.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service assistant chief officer David Goodhew said rescuers had been working in very confined spaces with the danger of potential further collapse in order to find bodies and remove the helicopter.

“Crews have been tunnelling underneath the helicopter to try to find further casualties and remove those where necessary,” he said.

Three people were killed in the helicopter – pilot David Traill, 51, and police officers Kirsty Nelis, 36, and Tony Collins, 43.

Gary Arthur, 48, from Paisley, and Samuel McGhee, 56, from Glasgow, were among six people killed in the pub. 

Dr Jennifer Armstrong, of NHS Greater Glasgow, said 12 people remain in hospital.  

“The patients continue to be treated for a range of serious injuries including bone fractures, spinal injuries, lacerations, chest injuries and head injuries,” she said.

Glasgow City Council said financial help will be made available to anyone in hardship as a result of the tragedy.

Meanwhile, a 16-year-old boy has been arrested for allegedly posting sectarian and racist comments on Twitter in the wake of the Glasgow helicopter crash. He is expected to appear at Ayr Sheriff Court later.

Glasgow Helicopter Crash: No Mayday From Pilot