Police helicopter crashes into Glasgow pub, killing eight

Officials in Scotland said Sunday there may be more fatalities from the deadly helicopter crash in Glasgow. Eight deaths have been confirmed so far.

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond told the BBC on Sunday that of the 12 people still hospitalized, three are in intensive care and are in stable condition.

The helicopter crashed into The Clutha club in Glasgow on Friday during a concert. Emergency officials are still searching the crash site for bodies while working to remove the aircraft's wreckage.

"This is a painstaking process, which we expect to take some time," said Deputy Chief Constable Rose Fitzpatrick. "Until we remove the helicopter we cannot be sure what we will find."

Investigators also are looking into what could have caused the helicopter to go down. Officials said Sunday the aircraft was on a police operation and returning to Glasgow when it crashed. The officials declined to provide more details.

In a news conference Saturday, Chief Constable Stephen House said that all those aboard the helicopter — two officers and a civilian pilot — died when the aircraft crashed into the roof of The Clutha pub, and that five other people were killed on the ground.

Bond Air Services, the company that owns the helicopter, issued a statement on its website expressing condolences.

“Bond Air Services is deeply saddened by the tragic accident In Glasgow last night. Our hearts go out to all those who have been touched by the events of Friday 29 November. We would also like to acknowledge the efforts of the emergency services who continue to work tirelessly at the scene,” the statement read.

The company said that it is “working with Police Scotland, other emergency services and the Air Accident Investigation Branch as the investigations into the causes of the accident get underway.”

According to the statement, a full investigation into crash has been initiated by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, and a separate investigation is also underway by the Air Accident Investigation Branch. 

The Clutha pub, near the banks of the River Clyde, was packed Friday night, and the band Esperanza was playing in when the chopper slammed through the roof. The band took to its Facebook page to let fans know that the memberes all made it out safely.

Band manager Gary Anderson spoke with CNN after the crash.

"The fire brigade, paramedics, police were all there within minutes and everybody was just helping folk who could get out, just shouting on them because at this time you couldn't really see much inside, you were just trying to help people out and shouting to them, 'Come here, come here' towards the doors," he said.

Fraser Gibson was also at the pub when the helicopter crashed through the roof. He told the BBC he estimated there were about 120 people inside at the time. 

“It sounded like a giant explosion,” he said. “Part of the room was covered in dust. We didn’t know what had happened. We froze for a second, there was panic and then people trying to get out the door.”

“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,” Scottish leader Alex Salmond said, later ordering that flags outside government buildings be flown at half-staff.

According to The Telegraph newspaper, witnesses said the helicopter’s rotors stopped spinning and the aircraft came crashing down into the pub. Gordon Smart told The Telegraph that just before the incident there was “a loud spluttering noise, almost like a car running out of petrol,” and when he looked up he “saw the helicopter tumbling over itself as it fell on a steep trajectory, but there were no flames.”

Al Jazeera and Wire Services