SIX people have been killed and several others badly injured after an out of control bin lorry brought terror and mayhem to Glasgow's streets which were packed with Christmas shoppers.

Bystanders watched in horror as the lorry mounted a pavement in the city's Queen Street yesterday (mon) and knocked down pedestrians as it continued 300 metres into George Square before crashing into the Millennium Hotel.

The dead are thought to include a young girl. Shoppers gave first aid and used CPR to desperately in the try to resuscitate the victims.The street was covered in blood in the aftermath of the crash, with victims' bodies strewn among scattered Christmas shopping and children's buggies. Many onlookers fainted at the sight of the horrors before them,

Political and religious leaders have said "could hardly be more tragic" a city which was left reeling 12 months ago by the Clutha helicopter crash, when a police helicopter fell from the skies into a packed bar by the Clyde.

There was speculation the driver, who is being treated in hospital with eight other people his Glasgow City Council lorry struck, may have suffered a heart attack at the wheel. The council would not comment.

Eyewitnesses said he was slumped against the wheel in his cab.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said after leaving a police briefing on the incident said her heart "simply breaks for all affected".

She added: "This is a horrific and tragic incident. Horrific whenever it would have happened, but three days before Christmas it is absolutely heartbreaking.

"First and foremost my thoughts, and I'm sure the thoughts of everyone across Scotland and indeed the UK, are with those who have lost loved ones in this dreadful incident; everybody who has suffered injury; and of course those who witnessed this.

"All of our thoughts are with everyone affected, in any way."

Glasgow City Council leader, Councillor Gordon Matheson described the crash as a "terrible tragedy", while Glasgow Archbishop Philip Tartaglia said his "heart breaks" for those caught up in the incident.

Archbishop Tartaglia said: "I was shocked and horrified to hear the news of this incident.

"My heart breaks for all those who have been directly caught up in it as they go about their business just a few days before Christmas in the centre of Glasgow.

"The circumstances could hardly be more tragic. I would ask any person of faith to pray for those who have died and their relatives and those who have been injured."

Flags were flying at half mast in most of Scotland's public buildings last night, with a service being planned in nearby church St George's Tron on Buchanan Street at 11.30am this morning.

Comedian Janey Godley, who saw the events unfold, described the scene as "utter horrific carnage".

The 53-year-old said: "There were people on the ground being worked on by the emergency services.

"There was a lot of debris and Christmas shopping scattered all around so it was quite a distressing sight for everyone.

"People were on the road and their families will be distressed to know they were lying on the street but the emergency services were doing an amazing job."

Eye-witness Melanie Fraser-Greig, 47, of Falkirk, added that the lorry knocked people down "like pinballs" as the van careered along the pavement.

She said: "The noises of the banging and crashing and screaming were horrific. It was like a bomb site."

Police Scotland worked at the scene through the night last night and will continue with their investigations today.

Alistair Carmichael, the Secretary of State for Scotland, said: "I share Scotland's deep shock at the horrible events in Glasgow this afternoon.

"On the eve of the festive period, these are unimaginable scenes in one of the busiest parts of our largest city.

"My thoughts are with the bereaved, the emergency services dealing with the aftermath and everyone affected by this terrible incident."

Flags were flying at half mast at public buildings across Scotland last night.