Death toll could rise as helicopter removed from Glasgow pub roof

The police helicopter that smashed through the roof of a Glasgow pub killing nine people was pulled free of the devastated building on Monday, as a fire chief admitted there was a slim possibility of finding survivors.

Three people on board the helicopter were killed and six died in the Clutha pub, where around 120 people were watching a performance by a ska band when the aircraft plunged on to the building on Friday evening.

Some relatives have criticised the speed of the removal of the bodies.

But Scottish Fire and Rescue Service assistant chief officer David Goodhew said crews had even tunnelled under the aircraft to try to find any casualties underneath.

He said his crews expected to find bodies in the wrecked pub, but would not rule out the chance that people might still be trapped alive in the cellar of the building.

“We can’t be absolutely sure until we’ve searched the last parts of the building,” he said.

“Once we’ve got the helicopter out that will enable our crews to get to the rest of the building.”