Glasgow bin lorry crash: Thousands turn off Christmas lights in memory of victims

Christmas Day services also paid tribute to those who died

Candles and flowers are left near the Gallery of Modern Art as the city reopens after the bin lorry crash on Sunday (PA)

Tributes have been paid to victims of the Glasgow bin lorry crash at Christmas Day services across the city.

Overnight, thousands turned off their Christmas lights for two minutes in an act of remembrance for the victims of the crash. A Facebook page asking people to turn off their lights for two minutes was ‘liked’ by over 70,000 people.

Six people died and ten were injured when the lorry lost control in George Square, mounting a pavement and then crashing into the Millennium Hotel.

Jack Sweeney, 68, from Dumbarton and Lorraine Sweeney, 69, and their 18-year-old granddaughter Erin McQuade were among six who died in the disaster.

Jack Sweeney, left, and wife Lorraine Sweeney with their granddaughter, Erin McQuade

The other three victims were named by Police Scotland as Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh, Stephenie Tait, 29, from Glasgow and Jacqueline Morton, 51, from Glasgow.

The Very Rev Kelvin Holdsworth of St Mary's Cathedral in Glasgow said in his sermon: "People do ask me whether it is hard to speak of the love of God when difficult things happen.

"It is sometimes hard to find the right words but the truth is, the love of God coming to illuminate the darkest of times is what we always celebrate at Christmas, no matter what year we are in and no matter what has happened.

"The light comes into the world. That is the truth we gather here to proclaim right at the darkest time of year."

Four people remain in hospital following the George Square tragedy.

A 14-year-old girl, two women aged 18 and 64, and a 57-year-old man are all now in a stable condition, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said.

Police Scotland have made a fresh appeal for anyone with footage of the incident to send it to them.

They said a "thorough and exhaustive" investigation is under way and will continue throughout the festive period.

Anyone with video footage is asked to send it to georgesquareincidentscotland.pnn.police.uk.

Additional reporting by PA