Glasgow bin lorry crash: Witnesses recall 'horrific' scenes that were 'like a war scene' as five women and one man confirmed dead

'There was noise, bangs, screams and everything. It was just horrific'

Police have launched an investigation into what caused a bin lorry to veer out of control (EPA)

Three members of the same family are feared to be among six people killed when a bin lorry veered out of control and smashed into a crowd of shoppers in the centre of Glasgow.

Police Scotland have this morning confirmed five women and one man were killed during the incident.

The crash took place in George Square which was packed with Christmas shoppers and families at the annual winter carnival when the lorry mounted the pavement in the busy city centre before crashing into the Millennium Hotel on George Square, next to Queen Street Station.

A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said there were two other crew members on the lorry at the time of the crash, but said the condition of the two men was not known.

Police Scotland could not confirm reports that three of the victims were related. It said in a statement: "As a result of the collision, six people died and 10 people were injured, including the driver.

"Seven casualties were taken to hospital by the ambulance service, two walked in to hospital and one was treated at the scene. Four have since been discharged.

"There are currently six people in hospital being treated for their injuries. Two have been moved to the Intensive Therapy Unit for further monitoring."

Anjan Luthra, who works in a store nearby, told the BBC he saw "three or four bodies" in the moments after the crash and people running away from the lorry.

He said: "I've never seen anything like that in my life, it was like a war scene. It literally was.”

"I ran out of the store and right directly across from me, I was just watching a very, very heavy bin lorry just flatten bodies on the pavement. It was driving along the pavement and taking everything along with it, and then it went across the street.”

Another witness, Melanie Greg, told Sky News the lorry knocked people down "like pinballs" in the crash at around 2.30pm.

"The only way it stopped was hitting the building,” she said.

"There was noise, bangs, screams and everything. It was just horrific."

Moire McClintock, an 18-year-old student, told the Daily Record: “There was a bin lorry screaming up the road at a crazy speed, and he carried on driving until it hit the hotel.

“I thought something had gone wrong with the pedals or the brakes, I could see stuff going everywhere.

“There was just debris and people, it had hit into cars and lampposts and there were bits of the lorry trailing behind.

(Rob Brooks)

“I ran to the junction and two people were lying at the junction with St Vincent St. I could see two people on the ground, people were trying to give them attention, and I could see one person on the ground further down Queen Street.

“There was no reaction from them I was pretty sure they were gone straight away. They had shopping bags and they were scattered everywhere.”

The scene in Glasgow's George Square after the crash (Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

One man described seeing the lorry “hurtle” down the road and plough into people: “I saw a woman lying underneath the lorry covered in blood. Everyone was screaming and trying to help."

Another man, who was setting up for a photo-shoot nearby, said he heard a huge bang, followed by screaming.

"The screaming just kept going on. Suddenly it was just chaos. Some people were running towards the scene, others were just standing stock still, in shock."

He added: "I saw one girl who had been hit, lying on the ground. She got up and then she went down again.

"She was young, of student age. She just screamed, and screamed, and then fell down again. She had terrible injuries."

Comedian Janey Godley described seeing “utter horrific carnage” at George Square, saying: "It was the most horrible thing to watch all the ambulances and the people in the street, and yet the fairground in the background, and people just in shock."

Those injured in the crash, including the driver, continue to receive treatment at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, the Southern General and the Western Infirmary.

Eight people were also injured in the crash (Stephen Gibson)

Scottish tennis star Andy Murray, who has been training in Miami, posted a tweet in the early hours of this morning expressing his sadness at the news.

"Just seen the news from Glasgow tonight ... Very very sad ... Thoughts go out to everyone who has been affected."

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "My thoughts are with everyone involved in this tragic incident, and especially with the friends and families of the six people who lost their lives in what is another sad day for Glasgow and Scotland."

Police Scotland is appealing to members of the public who have photographs, videos or any type of mobile footage of the incident to send it to a dedicated email address: georgesquareincidentscotland.pnn.police.uk.