At least 6 killed after police helicopter crashes in Scotland

At least six were killed and 32 others injured after a police helicopter late Friday crashed into a pub in Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, Sky news reported on Saturday. The helicopter with two police officers and a civilian pilot on board crashed through the roof of the lively city nightspot, which was packed with more than 100 people listening to a band, said the report. Police confirmed one death and warned that the number of people killed after the crash will rise in the "coming hours". "Search and recovery operation" are underway after rescue teams worked through the night to try to pull people from the wreckage of the Clutha Vaults pub, hoping to find survivors alive in the remains of the building. No details were given by the police of what has happened to the crew of two officers and a civilian pilot on board the helicopter. A full investigation into the crash was launched and investigators from the Air Accident Investigation Branch were on the scene on Saturday morning trying to piece together what had happened. The police helicopter "dropped like a stone" from a great height at fast speed, but there was no fire or explosion, eyewitness said. Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said: "This is a black day for Glasgow and Scotland but it's also St Andrew's Day and it's a day we can take pride and courage in how we respond to adversity and tragedy." He praised the "instinctive bravery of ordinary Glaswegians" that went to the rescue of those trapped inside the pub and the emergency service. British Prime Minister David Cameron termed the crash as "a tragic event", expressing sympathies with families who lost lovely ones in the crash on Friday night. A number of St Andrew's Day events were being cancelled on Saturday morning as the tragic toll of Friday night's crash was confirmed.