Ten years ago today the country was rocked by the Glasgow bin lorry tragedy which claimed the lives of six people just days before Christmas.
Driver Harry Clarke, 67, collapsed behind the wheel while driving the 26-tonne vehicle which mounted the pavement and ploughed into pedestrians in Glasgow city centre on December 22 2014.
Erin McQuade, 18, and her grandparents Jack Sweeney, 68, and Lorraine Sweeney, 69, from Dumbarton; Stephenie Tait, 29, and Jacqueline Morton, 51, both from Glasgow; and Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh, died in the crash.
The 19-second incident saw a further 15 others injured, and the vehicle only stopped when Clarke crashed into a wall.
Hundreds of witnesses were left traumatised by the tragic events that day. Those at the scene told how first responders battled to save the lives of people in the street.
At the time, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said of the tragedy: “My thoughts are with everyone involved in the dreadful George Square incident.”
Prime Minister David Cameron also added: “I’m being kept fully briefed on the major incident in Glasgow. My thoughts are with the families of those involved and the emergency services.”
The crash took place just yards from Queen Street Station and the Millennium Hotel while many people were out shopping for the festive season. The train station has since been revamped, changing the landscape of George Square and the scene of the tragedy.
But the memory of one of the country’s worst disasters at a time which should be the most special to families, continues to live on.
Investigations into the cause of the crash, and Clarke’s role in it were held, but every year we will never forget those who died that day.
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