Pub community in Glasgow praised after helicopter crash

Chief executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, Paul Waterson, and chief executive of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, Patrick Browne, commended those who reacted to the tragedy at the Clutha, Stockwell Street, last Friday at around 10.25pm.

A total of 32 people were injured in the accident and 20 of them have now been discharged. At the start of this week emergency services were still searching through the wreckage of the accident.

Browne said some people reacted "instinctively" and risked their own safety by attempting to rescue people from the pub.

A key part of the community ​

He said: "This is a terrible tragedy and the circumstances are unusual. The community in Glasgow have demonstrated the spirit of the city and the spirit of Glaswegians.

"The pub trade is a key part of the community. Going forward we will be looking at if there’s anything we can do to help."

Waterson visited the scene of the crash on Sunday and said the whole event was "just a shock".

He said: "I know people would help in that situation. Publicans in the area will all do whatever they can to help."

The Clutha had been packed with people watching a ska band when the crash happened. Among the victims were PC Kirsty Nelis, 36, PC Tony Collins, 43, and civilian pilot David Traill, 51. Police have also named two other victims, Samuel McGhee, 56, of Glasgow and Gary Arthur, 48, of Paisley.

A great sense of loss​

Waterson added: "We all have great sympathy for the owners of the pub and how tragic it has been. People were there enjoying themselves. The Clutha bar is a very well known pub in Glasgow which has live music and is frequented by a lot of regulars who go there time after time.

"There’s a great sense of loss there. It’s a great pub, one of the best. It’s in a very traditional area, one of the older parts of the city where there’s a lot of history. The pubs there are really atmospheric, really traditional in the nicest possible sense."

A spokesperson for the nearby Scotia Bar said: "Our thoughts are with everyone involved with the Clutha Bar. Our team and customers wanted to show their support so we are collecting donations for the victims and their families."