Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy looked stunned when he heard about the crash as he walked down Buchanan Street, arms laden with Christmas shopping.
Mr Murphy, who was one of the first on the scene after the Clutha helicopter accident just over a year ago, said: "I walked across George Square about an hour ago. I'm just hearing what people are saying, obviously it has been a major incident with very serious casualties. Multiple emergency services are on the scene. It is just awful.
"They can't be in better hands and all of the emergency services are on the scene.
"To be standing here in the Christmas drizzle, there is a very sombre mood. Just a short while ago everyone had a smile on their face."
The city centre was full of Christmas shoppers when the accident happened at George Square today.
The schools broke up for the festive holidays on Friday and the ice skating and the carnival at George Square was packed with families.
"It's horrendous," said one woman in the minutes after the accident. "We just heard the crash and then lots of people screaming."
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