(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Several people were killed and a number of others injured in Glasgow yesterday when a bin lorry ploughed into Christmas shoppers in the city centre, police said, in what appeared to be a tragic accident.
One eyewitness described the vehicle knocking people down "like pinballs" as it veered out of control over a distance of around 300 metres, only stopping when it crashed into the side of a hotel.
"There have been a number of fatalities and people injured," a police statement said, adding that emergency services were at the scene and it had been declared a "major incident".
Police would not comment on a report on Sky News television that six people had died, although a spokesman said "at least" seven people had been seriously injured.
Some media reported that the driver may have suffered a heart attack.
The spokesman said he was being treated in hospital, without giving any further details. "The bin lorry just lost control. It went along the pavement, knocking everyone like pinballs," eyewitness Melanie Greg told Sky News.
"People were trying to run out of the way but when something was coming out behind them like that, how can they run out of the way?" she said. She added: "There was noise, bangs, screams and everything. It was just horrific."
The rubbish truck, owned by Glasgow City Council, mounted the pavement and hit the first pedestrian outside the Gallery of Modern Art on Queen Street at about 2.30pm (1430GMT), police said. It struck several more as it continued at speed for another two blocks, crashing at the Millennium Hotel on George Square, near Queen Street station. The incident took place the day after a driver with psychiatric problems in the French town of Dijon ploughed into pedestrians, injuring 13. He was later arrested.
Scottish police said there was nothing "sinister" about the Glasgow incident, calling it an accident. "It is a road traffic collision with multiple fatalities," the spokesman said, adding: "It does not look to be a criminal or deliberate attack."
The accident happened near the Scottish city's main shopping hub, where shoppers filled the streets just three days before Christmas Day. Prime Minister David Cameron said he was being kept informed of developments, while Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "My thoughts with everyone involved in dreadful George Square incident".
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