Ukraine police disperse EU-deal protesters

David Stern in Kiev: A number of people appear to have been hurt

Riot police in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, have forcefully dispersed hundreds of protesters, beating some with truncheons, witnesses say.

Protest organiser Sergei Milnichenko said tear gas had also been used as police moved in at about 04:30 (02:30 GMT) on Saturday.

It followed fresh rallies against President Viktor Yanukovych's refusal to sign an EU association agreement.

Unconfirmed reports said a number of people had been hurt.

Police said they had decided to clear Independence Square after "a number of incidents", Interfax Ukraine news agency reported.

It was not clear what incidents they were referring to.

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Analysis

David SternBBC News, Kiev

In clearing Kiev's main Independence Square of demonstrators, Ukrainian authorities have raised the stakes.

Leaders of the pro-EU movement are now confronted with the decision of whether to continue with their demonstrations indefinitely, in the face of what would certainly be stiff government resistance.

A giant rally has been called for Sunday. Opposition members say that the size of the crowd will help them decide what their next move will be.

But it is not only Ukrainian political leaders who have a choice to make. EU officials must also decide now what level of engagement they will pursue with Ukraine after President Viktor Yanukovych's snub and the violent dispersal of peaceful protesters.

More than 1,000 people, most of them students, were in the square when police moved in, activists said.

"It was horrible. We were holding a peaceful demonstration and they attacked us," said protester Lada Tromada.

"They threw us away like garbage."

Witnesses said ambulances were on the scene and some demonstrators were seen bleeding from their heads and arms.

One activist, opposition MP Andriy Shevchenko, tweeted that dozens of people had been hurt and at least 33 taken into police custody.

Reuters news agency said the injured included one of its cameramen and a photographer, who was left bloodied by blows to the head.

The US Ambassador to Kiev, Geoffrey Pyatt, said he was "still working to understand what happened".

He said he "obviously" condemned the violence against peaceful demonstrators, adding: "Will have more to say."

By morning, police had surrounded the square and barely any protesters remained, a BBC correspondent reported.

Police intervened with force to disperse the protesters in the early hours of Saturday

A number of protesters were injured in the scuffles

Several hundred have now gathered at St Michael's Cathedral in the capital, contemplating their next move.

Last week, Mr Yanukovych said he was suspending preparations for signing an EU association agreement that would have opened borders to goods and set the stage for an easing of travel restrictions.

He said pressure from Russia had led him to make his decision. Mr Yanukovych argued that Ukraine could not afford to sacrifice trade with Russia, which opposed the deal.

The agreement was to have been signed on Friday at an EU summit in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, and opposition leaders called for a large turnout of protesters to make their feelings known.

On Friday - as Mr Yanukovych attended the EU summit - about 10,000 demonstrators took to Independence Square, carrying Ukrainian and EU flags and chanting "Ukraine is Europe".

There was also a smaller rally involving some 3,000 supporters of Mr Yanukovych a few hundred metres away in European Square.

In Vilnius, EU leaders warned they would not tolerate Russian interference in the bloc's relations with former Soviet republics.

The summit reached provisional accords with Georgia and Moldova.

"The times of limited sovereignty are over in Europe," said European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

'Foreign pressure'

Some protesters were treated on board ambulances at the scene

There were several arrests

In the morning, the empty square was being cleaned

EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy said the parties had been "really close" to signing the association agreement in Vilnius, but added: "We need to overcome pressure from abroad."

"We are embarked on a long journey, helping Ukraine to become, as others, what we call now, 'new member states'. But we have to set aside short-term political calculations."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the door would always remain open for Ukraine.

Independence Square was the scene of the Orange Revolution in 2004, which saw Mr Yanukovych ousted and a Western-leaning government brought to power.

Mr Yanukovych was elected president five years later, narrowly defeating then-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, a leading figure of the Orange Revolution.

In 2011 she was sentenced to seven years in jail for abuse of office - a case widely criticised in the West as political revenge.

Ms Tymoshenko has been on hunger strike since Monday over the failure to sign the EU agreement.

Ashes 2013-14: Ian Bell happy to bat at three for England

Ian Bell is willing to step in for his friend Jonathan Trott and bat at three for England in the second Ashes Test.

Joe Root and Gary Ballance are other options for the key position in the Adelaide match, starting on 5 December.

But Bell, who captained as England's final warm-up match tapered off into a draw, says he has already discussed it with the team's management.

Bell said: "We've spoken about it, and I've said I'm absolutely willing to go to number three."

Where should Bell bat?

• At number three, Bell has scored 1,437 runs in 37 innings at an average of 39.91
• In the number five position, Bell has 2,281 runs at 49.58 from 54 knocks
• Bell's most successful position is number six where he averages 59.92, with 1,618 runs in 37 innings

Bell, who was England's player of the series in last summer's Ashes when batting at five, added: "That decision is out of my control. We've obviously got a lot of options with the balance of the side. But I've put my hand up to go up the order, so we'll soon see."

Bell admitted that the departure of Warwickshire team-mate Trott after the381-run first Test defeat in Brisbane with a stress-related illness had caught him by surprise.

"You could sense that he was a little bit more quiet, things like that," Bell said.

"I wasn't too aware of what was going on in the dressing-room at the time. As a friend I wish him a speedy recovery.

"It's a really sad thing to see him go, because he's been such a key player for us. We all have areas we're monitoring all the time, and you don't always open up to everyone.

"We do have people like (team psychologist) Mark Bawden, who are there to speak to all the time. I wish him all the best now and hope he can get back to normal as quickly as possible."

England's Ashes tour itinerary

31 Oct-2 Nov: drew with Western Australia Chairman's XI, Perth

6-9 Nov: drew with Australia A, Hobart

13-16 Nov: beat Australian Invitational XI,Sydney

21-25 Nov: First Test, Brisbane: lost by 381 runs

29-30 Nov: drew with Chairman's XI, Alice Springs

5-9 Dec: 2nd Test, Adelaide

13-17 Dec: 3rd Test. Perth

26-30 Dec: 4th Test, Melbourne

3-7 Jan 2014: 5th Test, Sydney

Australia coach Darren Lehmann announced earlier on Saturday that his players woulddesist from mentioning Trott on the field when the second Test begins on 5 December.

While Bell welcomed that news, he downplayed the talk of a serious rift between the two sides.

"I don't think that worries us too much. I think a lot of this talk about sledging has gone over the top - I don't see it as being any different to what it was like in the summer at home, or in series I've played in the past.

"The guys are really excited about the Adelaide Test. We are playing Ashes cricket and it's the most exciting form of the game as an Englishmen or an Australian. Both teams are desperate to win."

England ended the second and final day of their match against a Cricket Australia Chairman's XI on 47-1, having struggled in the field as their inexperienced opposition made 254-8.

Graeme Swann took four wickets and Monty Panesar three, but fast bowlers Steve Finn and Boyd Rankin again both struggled.

Bell, stand-in captain as Alastair Cook was rested, said: "I thought Swanny did really well and held his nerve - four-for is a great effort and Monty supported him really well.

"It didn't go quite as the pace bowlers would have liked, but, on this kind of wicket, the more pace that was on it, the easier it was to bat against."

Blackheath V-2 rocket victims remembered

The 19 civilians killed when a row of houses in south-east London was struck by a V-2 rocket during World War Two are to be commemorated in a ceremony.

On 8 September 1944 the Nazis began a sustained V-2 rocket attack which started in Chiswick, west London, killing three people.

Resident Toni Hale who has lived in Sunfields Place in Blackheath for 15 years has organised for 19 ribbons to be attached to a memorial tree.

The youngest who died was 13.

Resident Toni Hale wanted to remember those who died

The V-2 rockets, which travelled at supersonic speed and gave no warning, terrorised the population and claimed at least 5,000 lives.

Sunfields Place was hit on 30 November.

Miss Hale said she had always wondered why her home and neighbouring houses were more modern than the surrounding Victorian properties.

She added: "I felt there was an unrest here, a sadness."

She began researching, found out about the deaths and was moved to create a memorial, starting with a tree being planted last year.

A service will be given using ribbons bearing the initials of those who died.

Loyalist march breaches Parades Commission ruling

Hundreds of people are taking part in a loyalist protest march which left from Belfast City Hall about 13:00 GMT.

Several hundred protesters gathered in front of Belfast City Hall

The protesters have breached a determination by the Parades Commission that they leave the city hall by noon.

The march comes days ahead of the first anniversary of the council's decision to restrict the flying of the union flag to designated days.

The parade was organised by a group calling itself the Loyalist Peaceful Protestors.

Tim Yeo MP dropped by South Suffolk Tories

Conservative MP Tim Yeo is a former environment minister

Conservative MP Tim Yeo has been dropped by his constituency party.

The decision was made by the South Suffolk Conservative Association in a secret ballot on Friday evening.

In a statement, the association said Mr Yeo was "now considering his position and will advise the executive council of his intended course of action".

Last month, Mr Yeo, who has been MP for South Suffolk since 1983, was cleared by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards of breaking lobbying rules.

Continue reading the main story

Analysis

Andrew SinclairBBC East political correspondent

For the last year or so there's been a growing sense of frustration among Conservatives in South Suffolk.

Constituencies around them had chosen young and dynamic MPs like Therese Coffey, Dan Poulter and Ben Gummer who seemed to spend all their time in the commons championing local causes. Some suggested Mr Yeo, on the other hand, appeared more concerned with his various directorships.

The final straw came with the Sunday Times' undercover sting. Mr Yeo was cleared of any wrong doing this week but the shaky footage of him boasting about his connections did nothing to help.

His local association had hoped he would decide to retire at the next election so that he could make a dignified departure from politics. But he wanted to go on and so very reluctantly they've had to tell him that it's time for change.

The Tory MP was secretly filmed by Sunday Times investigators posing as representatives of a fictional energy company seeking to hire his services.

The paper said he had admitted telling a business associate what to say in evidence to the committee he chaired.

But the watchdog said the newspaper had used "subterfuge, misrepresentation and selective quotation" in its report.

Mr Yeo was one of 25 Conservative MPs who recently warned the prime minister not to ditch the party's environmental agenda.

Labour's shadow cabinet office minister Jon Ashworth said: "Tim Yeo's deselection is another sign that under David Cameron the Conservative Party is reverting to type, with no place for those who thought he meant it when he said, 'vote blue, go green'."

Mr Yeo, a former environment minister, had previously told the BBC that he intended to stand again in 2015.

If he does not accept the decision he can appeal or apply to be the new candidate when the selection process gets under way.

Mr Yeo is yet to comment.

Glasgow helicopter crash: 'Three dead' at Clutha pub

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said it was "a black day for Glasgow"

Three people have died after a police helicopter crashed into a busy pub in Glasgow, the BBC understands.

Police Scotland have confirmed one death but said they expected the final number of fatalities would be higher. A rescue operation is continuing.

The crash happened at The Clutha in Stockwell Street at 22:25 on Friday.

There were three people on board the helicopter - two officers and a civilian pilot. Thirty-two people have been taken to local hospitals.

The emergency services remain involved in a "search and recovery" operation

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond told a press conference it was a "black day for Scotland."

Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute to the bravery of the "ordinary Glaswegians" who rushed to help.

Chief Constable Sir Stephen House confirmed that one person had died and further fatalities were expected after the helicopter crashed on to the roof of the pub.

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AT THE SCENE

Marianne TaylorBBC Scotland news

Strange to walk through Argyle Street to the scene and see so many people doing their Christmas shopping just a few hundred yards from the scene.

The King Street car park next to the scene is full of cars, and buses are passing just 100 yards from the cordon.

There is no debris on our side of the cordon - it's hard to believe what has happened just a few yards away.

We can see the blue and green tarpaulins on top of the roof of the pub, but there is no activity on that roof.

On our side of the cordons, a pack of around 40 journalists and photographers are taking statements from eyewitnesses and waiting for news.

He said they "can't say definitively" whether there are people still trapped within the pub, and added "we are still in a search and recovery phase".

Chief Constable House went on: "This is a very difficult and sensitive operation. The scene is, as you will understand, a particularly challenging one.

"Given the damage caused and the nature of the damage, it will take some time to complete the search of the building and to assess how we begin the investigation.

"Clearly the safety of those conducting the search is of the highest importance."

Mr Salmond said: "This is a black day for Glasgow and Scotland but it is also St Andrew's Day and we can take pride in how we respond to adversity.

"The response from our emergency services and citizens has been exemplary."

It has been reported that about 120 people were in the pub at the time of the crash. Many were rescued or escaped but others were trapped by a collapse on the left-hand side of the building.

Emergency services have erected barriers around the scene and specialist rescue teams remain at the scene.

• A large area of the city centre has been cordoned off
• Mass held at St Andrew's Cathedral in city for those involved in crash and emergency services involved in response
• Council has cancelled St Andrew's Day celebrations in George Square as a mark of respect
• A minute's silence was held ahead of the Falkirk v Rangers match
• Injured were taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Western Infirmary and the Victoria Infirmary
• Some of those who were in pub taken to a nearby Holiday Inn Express
• Police Scotland Casualty Bureau number is 0800 092 0410 - for those concerned about relatives
• Glasgow City Council has opened a family reception centre at 40 John Street
• Investigation into what happened is under way
• Air Accident Investigation Branch is in Glasgow.

Speaking from the press conference at the multi-agency command centre in Glasgow, Fire Scotland deputy chief officer Alex Clark said: "Along with our emergency service colleagues, we responded very, very quickly and pulled out all the measures that we possibly could in order to rescue people who were affected by this incident.

"I can assure you that until such time as there is an inevitable outcome we will undoubtedly remain on site and carry on our rescue activities in the best way that we possibly can."

The Police Scotland helicopter crashed onto the roof of the pub as a band was performing

Gary Hardacre, who is leading the Scottish Ambulance Service response, said: "All of our thoughts and condolences are with those that have been affected by this tragic incident.

"We have been working with our partners in the police and fire service to ensure a joined-up response, and provide the best possible care that we can for the people affected by this."

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The Clutha Bar

• Situated near the banks of Glasgow's River Clyde, The Clutha is one of Glasgow's oldest public houses
• According to oldglasgowpubs.co.uk, the bar traded in the late 19th Century and over the years has been known as The Merchant, The Weemann's and The Pipinjay
• A popular live music venue, The Clutha hosts various bands and artists as well as open mic events
• The bar's Facebook page says it was voted as one of the top three pubs in Glasgow for live music with "something on every night"
• Scottish comedian Billy Connolly has been known to frequent the pub
• An application had been submitted to Glasgow City Council to create a roof terrace above the bar

William Byrne, 45, from Coatbridge, who was in the pub when the helicopter came down, returned to the scene this morning.

"There was a loud bang. Then there was dust and the lights went out. It was surreal," he told BBC Scotland.

'We didn't know what had happened. At our side of the pub at least two people were trapped under the gantry. Myself and others lifted it up and managed to get them out. I spent some time with one injured man."

He added: "At our side of the pub I would say there were less than 10 people injured, mainly walking wounded, not seriously injured. One girl had clearly been hit on the head - she had a big bump.

"The other side of the pub took the brunt. Myself and my friends managed to get out without a scratch. Everyone helped everyone else to get out."

Helicopter operator Bond Air Services said it was working with the police and emergency services.

Jim Murphy MP tells the BBC that "something horrific and serious happened"

A statement added: "Our thoughts are with those who have been affected by this tragic incident."

About 250 people attended a special service at St Andrew's Cathedral on Saturday afternoon.

Archbishop Philip Tartaglia told worshipers: "We pray for those who have lost their lives, who are injured, the bereaved, and the emergency services and members of the public.

"We pray for our city of Glasgow, which is in mourning today."

Jim Murphy, the Labour MP for East Renfrewshire, was in the area at the time of the helicopter crash and said he ran into the pub to help before emergency services arrived.

He told the BBC there was "pandemonium" as people tried to get out of the pub.

"It was almost like slow motion," he said, adding: "People just formed a bit of human chain, side by side with each other, to help pull injured people out."

The shadow cabinet minister, who had blood on his shirt which he said was not his, described what he saw as a "horrific scene".

Local people have gathered at the scene

The band who were playing in the pub at the time of the crash, Esperanza, have released a statement on their Facebook page.

Bassist Jess wrote: "Waking up and realising that it is all definitely horribly real. Despite the situation everyone was so helpful and caring of each other.

"The police, ambulances, firefighters all did a stellar job and continue to do so today in extremely difficult conditions."

Eyewitness Fraser Gibson, 34, was inside the pub with his brother to see his former band, Esperanza.

"Midway through their set it sounded like a giant explosion," he told BBC Scotland.

"Part of the room was covered in dust. We didn't know what had happened. We froze for a second; there was panic and then people trying to get out the door."

Mr Gibson added: "I would say there was maybe 120 people inside the pub. A lot of people managed to get out straight away, but it was hard to tell how many were actually trapped in the other half of the bar."

He said there had been no indication a helicopter had caused the devastation, adding: "The roof had just totally collapsed.

"There were shards of wood sticking out the top but nothing that said there had been a helicopter crash."

Eddie Waltham, a former firefighter who had a friend inside the pub, told the BBC: "A roof joist came down and hit him and pushed him towards the window which is at the left side of the left door."

He added later: "My own reaction was to run straight up to the pub.

"It was amazing to watch just how people were trying so hard to get into this building."

John McGarrigle has spent the night at the scene and said he feared his father had been in the pub at the time of the crash: "I've checked every hospital and there's no sign of him. I'm very anxious."

Gordon Matheson, the leader of Glasgow City Council, said his heart went out to the families affected.

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The Eurocopter EC135 T2

• Began service in 1996 and there are now around 1,000 in operation
• Used around the world by the police and emergency services
• Has capacity for one pilot and six or seven passengers
• Weighs 6,504 lbs (2,950kg)
• Maximum speed of 137kts (254 km/h)
• Twin-engined and has a maximum range of 334nm (620km)

• What we know about crash helicopter

He also praised the response of ordinary people in the area before the emergency services arrived.

Mr Matheson said: "People who were in the pub, the people who were in the streets and who just helped out their fellow human beings who were out having a good time.

"It's Glasgow at its best you know, if people are in need the spontaneous response is to go to their help. And I want to pay great tribute to that and I'm very proud as leader of the city that that was the reaction. It doesn't surprise me."

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "This is a tragic event and our deepest sympathies are with the families and friends who lost a loved one last night.

"I want to thank the emergency services who worked tirelessly throughout the night and I also want pay tribute to the bravery of the ordinary Glaswegians who rushed to help.

"We have offered the Scottish government our support in any way we can and we are all wishing a speedy recovery to those who are injured."

The roof of the pub has been covered with tarpaulins

Labour leader Ed Miliband described the crash as an "unimaginable horror".

He added: "I know there will be lots of people worried about their loved ones who are unaccounted for and my thoughts are with them and also with the people of Glasgow who are an incredibly strong people, who showed, I think last night, in their reaction when the helicopter hit, a great bravery, a great courage, great calm in the midst of all this."

In 2002, a police Eurocopter EC-135 came down in a field in Ayrshire. All three people on board survived.

In 1990, a police sergeant was killed when a Bell Jet 206 helicopter crashed in bad weather at Newton Mearns in East Renfrewshire.

Glasgow helicopter crash: 'Multiple injuries' at Clutha pub

It is not known how many people remain trapped inside the pub

A police helicopter has crashed into a busy pub on the banks of the River Clyde in Glasgow.

It happened at The Clutha in Stockwell Street at 22:25 on Friday.

Police Scotland say there were three people on board the helicopter - two officers and a civilian pilot.

Police have not confirmed whether anyone has died but 32 people have been taken to local hospitals. It is not known how many people are still trapped inside the pub.

A senior fire officer said they had made contact with some people trapped inside the pub but the building was unsafe and they were taking a "methodical" approach to the rescue.

The rescue operation continued throughout the night

It has been reported that about 120 people were in the pub at the time of the crash. Many were rescued or escaped but others have been trapped by a collapse on the left-hand side of the building.

Emergency services have erected barriers around the scene and specialist rescue teams are in the pub with sniffer dogs.

• Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said people must prepare for fatalities
• The Police Scotland Casualty Bureau number is 0800 092 0410
• Callers should only contact the Casualty Bureau number if they have concerns for relatives who may have been in the Clutha Vaults pub or surrounding area at the time of the incident
• The injured have been taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Western Infirmary and the Victoria Infirmary
• The fire service said there were people trapped in the building but they could not say how many

Some of the injured were taken to a nearby Holiday Inn Express, while more serious casualties were being treated in hospital.

As he left the accident and emergency department of Glasgow Royal Infirmary, a staff member who did not want to be interviewed was asked how serious the injuries were. He replied: "Very".

Glasgow's Health Board said it had put in place its "well-rehearsed major emergency arrangements" and that local hospitals had been on "immediate standby".

Emergency services vehicles at the scene

A large area of the city centre has been cordoned off.

The emergency services could be seen on the pub's roof trying to rescue people from inside.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said it had a specialist urban search and rescue crew at the scene.

Assistant chief officer Lewis Ramsay said: "Our officers are working very hard in what is a very complex and hard environment for them.

"We are in the process at the moment of making the building stable. It is very unsafe".

He said it was "difficult to tell" how many people were still inside.

Jim Murphy MP tells the BBC that "something horrific and serious happened"

He added: "We have had some contact (with those inside) and we are working away just now to make sure that the building is safe in order to get people out.

"We have got 125 firefighters here and they are not only working outside the perimeter of the building, they are working inside. They have been in the cellar, they have been on the roof."

He said "numerous" casualties were removed at the start of the incident and had been taken to hospital and other locations.

Images of the crash showed the wreckage of a dark blue helicopter with a yellow "Police" insignia lying on the pub's roof.

Police Scotland Deputy Chief Constable Rose Fitzpatrick said: "At 22:25 on Friday evening, the Police Scotland helicopter - a Eurocopter EC135 T2 - came down on the roof of the Clutha Vaults pub in Stockwell Street, Glasgow.

"There were three people on board - two police officers and a civilian pilot. There were a number of customers inside the bar at the time."

A police insignia could be seen on the wreckage of the helicopter

She said the rescue operation was ongoing and it was too early to provide any details around why the helicopter came down.

Helicopter operator Bond Air Services said it was working with the police and emergency services.

Jim Murphy, the Labour MP for East Renfrewshire, was in the area at the time of the crash and said he ran into the pub to help before emergency services arrived.

He told the BBC there was "pandemonium" as people tried to get out of the pub.

"It was almost like slow motion," he said, adding: "People just formed a bit of human chain, side by side with each other, to help pull injured people out."

The shadow cabinet minister, who had blood on his shirt which he said was not his, described what he saw as a "horrific scene".

Emergency services said there have been "numerous" casualties

Eyewitness Fraser Gibson, 34, was inside the pub with his brother to see his former band, Esperanza.

"Midway through their set it sounded like a giant explosion," he told BBC Scotland.

"Part of the room was covered in dust. We didn't know what had happened. We froze for a second; there was panic and then people trying to get out the door."

Mr Gibson added: "I would say there was maybe 120 people inside the pub. A lot of people managed to get out straight away, but it was hard to tell how many were actually trapped in the other half of the bar.

Continue reading the main story

Eyewitness

Gordon Smart, editor of the Scottish Sun, told the BBC:

I can't really believe what's happened. I was on the phone at the time and I heard a misfiring engine. Looked above me, couldn't work out where it was coming from, it got louder and louder and I just spotted a helicopter falling from the sky.

It was falling at great speed. It looked like the rotors weren't spinning but the helicopter was sort of turning in a strange position and dropping at great speed. Oddly enough there was no explosion no fire ball.

It's a busy Friday night, a lot of people have been out in the pubs, there are a lot of pubs in that area. I do fear… I would be staggered if there weren't fatalities from the area it's landed.

He said there had been no indication a helicopter had caused the devastation, adding: "The roof had just totally collapsed.

"There were shards of wood sticking out the top but nothing that said there had been a helicopter crash."

BBC Scotland reporter Andrew Kerr said: "I live nearby and actually heard the helicopter overhead just around that time and there was a definite change in the rotor noise and then there was just silence.

"I thought nothing more of it until I heard the sirens. The actual Police Scotland helicopter SP99 is based just two miles west along the River Clyde. It is well-known for the people of Glasgow to see, covering things like football matches in the city."

Eddie Waltham, a former firefighter who had a friend inside the pub, told the BBC: "A roof joist came down and hit him and pushed him towards the window which is at the left side of the left door."

He added later: "My own reaction was to run straight up to the pub.

"It was amazing to watch just how people were trying so hard to get into this building."

Claire Morris, who lives near the Clutha bar, told BBC News: "We heard this bang. We didn't really know what had happened and then we heard people coming out and screaming.

"Police are everywhere. We are just very shaken."

She added the pub was very popular and would have been busy on a Friday night.

John McGarrigle who said he feared his father had been in the pub at the time said: "I've checked every hospital and there's no sign of him. I'm very anxious.

"I'm just going to stand here till I see casualties come out of the building."

The crash happened at a pub in the centre of Glasgow

First Minister Alex Salmond tweeted: "The emergency services are in full operation. Our thoughts are with everyone involved. Scottish resilience operation now mobilised."

Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "My thoughts are with everyone affected by the helicopter crash in Glasgow - and the emergency services working tonight."

In 2002, a police Eurocopter EC-135 came down in a field in Ayrshire. All three people on board survived.

In 1990, a police sergeant was killed when a Bell Jet 206 helicopter crashed in bad weather at Newton Mearns in East Renfrewshire.