Emotional farewells to two victims of helicopter crash

The men were on a night out at the bar where a local band was playing when the aircraft plummeted through the ceiling.

Investigators said yesterday they have found no evidence of engine or gear box failure and that their inquiries into what caused the crash is continuing.

At St Bride's Roman Catholic Church in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, hundreds of mourners paid their respects to window cleaner Mr O'Prey whose family described him as a "lovable giant".

Among them were his father Ian, mother Mona, sisters Louise and Barbara, his 15-year-old son Liam and former partner Clare Gillies.

The requiem mass was led by Father Owen Ness who said Mr O'Prey had died in a place where people went to be together and to be happy.

"That was the place where Mark was happy and that was the place where his life ended so unexpectedly," he said.

"This journey that Mark O'Prey had, it ended so unexpectedly."

A message on the order of service said: "The kindness shown not just by family and friends but from the nation as a whole has been of tremendous support to Mark's family."

A special prayer was said for his 15-year-old son Liam, whose mother Clare Gillies, Mr O'Prey's ex-partner, was also present alongside Liam's registration class and teachers from school.

When the mass was over, Liam took on the role of pallbearer, sobbing as he helped carry his father's coffin out of the church to the strains of the hymn, Walk With Me, Oh My Lord.

A gathering is planned at the Village Inn in East Kilbride to celebrate Mr O'Prey's life and his love of music.

His sister Louise said following his death: "Mark was an adorable, loveable giant. He was always laughing and would do anything for anybody.' He's an unbelievable character, one in a million."

Mr Arthur was remembered at a humanist service at Woodside Crematorium in Paisley, Renfrewshire, where an estimated 400 to 500 people attended.

Flanked by six police motor­cycle outriders, his funeral cortege slowly made its way through to the town to the crematorium. His hearse carried simple wreaths in white crystanthenums in each window reading "Dad, Uncle, Gary and Son."

Mr Arthur's daughter Chloe plays football for Celtic and Scotland women's under-19s football teams and he was said to be a regular on the match sidelines. After the tragedy, she took to Twitter to pay tribute to him. She said: "RIP dad. You'll always mean the world to me, I promise to do you proud, I love you with all my heart."

A minute's silence was held before Celtic's match against Hearts last week as a mark of respect to all the victims.

Peter Lawwell, chief executive of Celtic football club, and Gordon Matheson, the leader of Glasgow City Council were among those in the hall of remembrance at the crematorium.

In a statement released ahead of the funeral, Mr Arthur's family said: "We loved him dearly and always will, we will miss him so much. We will continue to make him proud.

"He always tried to do his best for us and to be there for us. He was the best dad and it's devastating that our dad has been taken from us in such a tragic way."

Police constables Kirsty Nelis, 36, and Tony Collins, 43, were on board the helicopter piloted by David Traill, 51.

The others who died inside the pub were Robert Jenkins, 61, Colin Gibson, 33, John McGarrigle, 57, and Samuel McGhee, 56.

Mr Traill's funeral was held at Glasgow University on Saturday when around 700 mourners gathered to hear moving tributes from the former RAF pilot's partner and friends.

Memorials for Police Constable Collins and Mr McGarrigle will take place today.

Mr Collins will be laid to rest in Lamlash Cemetery on Arran while a funeral mass for Mr McGarrigle will be held at St Bartholomew's Church in Castlemilk.

Their funerals are being held as donations have continued to pour in to the appeal fund set up to help people affected by the tragedy.

A total of £150,000 has been pledged in just six days after the fund was set up with money from Glasgow City Council, matched by the Scottish Government.

It will be boosted further by a comedy gig at the city's O2 Academy on Sunday, December 22, and by a charity concert featuring a number of Glasgow musicians.

A number of organisations and individuals are also planning fundraising events to help the injured, families of the victims and others affected by the disaster.

l Police Scotland said a 33-year-old man has been arrested in connection with offensive online comments following the disaster.

Colin Robertson from Glasgow was charged with threatening or abusive behaviour at the city's sheriff court on Friday. He made no plea or declaration and was released on bail.