Scottish Catholic Observer

Pope Francis has expressed his ‘closeness’ to the people of Glasgow after Friday’s fatal helicopter crash in the city.

Today rescue and recovery operations at The Clutha pub continue after a Police Scotland aircraft collided with the pub’s roof. The death toll in the incident stands at nine, while emergency services are to carry out further searches of the property after the helicopter was removed by a crane at the site.

The Holy Father sent a message to Archbishop Philip Tartaglia of Glasgow, through by the Papal Nuncio Archbishop Antonio Mennini, conveying his ‘sincere sympathies’ to the people of Glasgow.

“Having learned the sad news of the tragic accident which occurred in Glasgow when a police helicopter crashed into Clutha Vaults pub, close to the cathedral, causing the death of several people and numerous injured, I would like hereby to convey to you, as Archbishop of Glasgow, the closeness of the Holy Father as well as my most sincere sympathy in these difficult moments,” the Pope’s message reads.

“I assure you of my prayers for those who have tragically lost their lives or have been injured as well as their relatives. May the Lord grant eternal rest to those who have died and comfort their relatives and the entire community of Glasgow in these moments of distress and sadness.”

Following the incident, a commemorative service was held at St Andrew’s Cathedral on Saturday, which is only 400 metres from the crash site.

Two of the six victims inside the pub have been named as Samuel McGhee, 56, of Glasgow, and 48-year-old Gary Arthur, from Paisley, Renfrewshire. The three dead helicopter crew were pilot David Traill, 51, and Police Constables Kirsty Nelis, 36, and Tony Collins, 43.

Of the 32 people who were injured in the crash, 12 remain in hospital. Three of these casualties were being treated in intensive care, where their conditions were described as serious but stable.

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—Initial report, click here.