A MAJOR police investigation into the George Square tragedy is continuing today (tue) after police officers worked through the night at the scene of the horrific accident involving a bin lorry.

Glasgow's main square is expected to remain closed off to the public for the coming days as Police Scotland's enquiries continue.

Key to the inquiry is establishing with the male driver, who is currently in hospital with serious injuries, what caused him to veer off the road hitting men, women and children in their prams and buggies, before ploughing into the square's Millennium Hotel.

Six people, including a young girl, died at around 2.30pm yesterday when the out-of-control lorry mounted a pavement and struck several pedestrians.

A further eight, including the driver, were badly injured and are being treated in three city hospitals.

Police said there appeared to be nothing "sinister" about the crash and have appealed for information and urged anyone who has photographs or footage of the incident to come forward.

They confirmed that officers were called to the scene at 2.30pm yesterday and quickly declared the tragedy a major incident.

A "multiple agency response" was then launched by police, fire and ambulance services, as well as Glasgow City Council and other agencies.

Chief Inspector Mark Sutherland of Police Scotland said: "We are now in an investigation and response phase and are working with our partners to make sure we get to the bottom of exactly why this happened.

"Eyewitnesses are currently being interviewed by detectives to establish exactly what happened and if anyone else has information then please come forward on our 101 number."

Superintendent Stewart Carle added that many people will have been left traumatised by the incident.

He said: "It's difficult for all the emergency services but particularly for those people who have been in Glasgow today shopping and getting ready for Christmas.

"There will be a lot of distressed people and certainly the city will need to come round those people that have been traumatised by the incident."

He added that the investigation would last through the night, saying police would "be here for many hours as we investigate the scene and eventually as we recover the dead."

The bin lorry was travelling along Queen Street outside the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA). when it hit a pedestrian.

Video footage showed people screaming and gathering in the street as they administered first aid to victims, too late to stop the runaway lorry, which mounted a pavement and careered 300 metres along the street, hitting several other people, before crashing into the hotel near the entrance to Queen Street railway station in George Square.

The cause of the crash remains unclear but there were unconfirmed reports that the driver might have suffered a heart attack as eye witnesses claim to have seen him slumped at the wheel.

Police Scotland confirmed the incident was not being treated as sinister, while assistant chief constable Wayne Mawson ruled out a terrorist attack in the wake of last week's Sydney cafe siege which claimed the lives of two hostages.

"Investigations continue into the circumstances of the tragic incident in George Square", he said. "While those investigations are continuing, we can confirm that this is not a terrorism-related incident."

Eye-witnesses described seeing the street covered in blood and strewn with bodies soon after the crash.

A police cordon was quickly put in place around the square, the scene of Glasgow's annual winter festival, with all traffic and pedestrians blocked from entering.

Screens were also put in place to prevent people from seeing the horrors that lay on the street.

All casualties were taken to the Southern General Hospital, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the Western Infirmary.

There doctors were transferred from

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow expresses its deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in George Square. The loss of a family member or friend in such a way is an unimaginably distressing experience as those of us who have experienced a similar tragedy know. We extend our support and thoughts to all those who were injured. We cannot speak highly enough regarding the skill and professionalism of all the rescue services. We know that a number of our fellows and members have been treating those injured and are gratified by the contribution they are making. We are proud to be the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of this city whose inhabitants have once again had to deal at close hand with tragedy and have responded spontaneously and in such a supportive and compassionate way for their fellow citizens.

Glasgow City Council offered to turn off the Christmas lights in George Square as a mark of respect but police requested they be kept on to assist with their inquiry.

Police Scotland last night launched a dedicated number - 01786 289070 - for anyone who has concerns about relatives or friends. The force has also urged people in the city centre to let relatives know they are safe and well.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that five units attended the scene yesterday, while a spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said it had an emergency plan which "automatically kicks in when there is a major incident".

The tragedy struck barely a year after the Clutha Bar helicopter crash in the city which claimed the lives of ten people.

Many Glaswegians last night said they were struggling to understand how the city could be hit with another tragedy so soon after the police helicopter incident on November 29 last year.

Anyone with photographs or video footage of the George Square incident should send it to georgesquareincident@scotland.pnn.police.uk.

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Police Scotland has launched a dedicated number, 01786 289070, for anyone who has concerns about relatives or friends.

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