Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Glasgow bin lorry crash: Thousands turn off Christmas lights in memory of victims

Christmas Day services also paid tribute to those who died

Heather Saul
Thursday 25 December 2014 14:51 GMT
Comments
Candles and flowers are left near the Gallery of Modern Art as the city reopens after the bin lorry crash on Sunday
Candles and flowers are left near the Gallery of Modern Art as the city reopens after the bin lorry crash on Sunday (PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Tributes have been paid to victims of the Glasgow bin lorry crash at Christmas Day services across the city.

Overnight, thousands turned off their Christmas lights for two minutes in an act of remembrance for the victims of the crash. A Facebook page asking people to turn off their lights for two minutes was ‘liked’ by over 70,000 people.

Six people died and ten were injured when the lorry lost control in George Square, mounting a pavement and then crashing into the Millennium Hotel.

Jack Sweeney, 68, from Dumbarton and Lorraine Sweeney, 69, and their 18-year-old granddaughter Erin McQuade were among six who died in the disaster.

Jack Sweeney, left, and wife Lorraine Sweeney with their granddaughter, Erin McQuade
Jack Sweeney, left, and wife Lorraine Sweeney with their granddaughter, Erin McQuade

The other three victims were named by Police Scotland as Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh, Stephenie Tait, 29, from Glasgow and Jacqueline Morton, 51, from Glasgow.

The Very Rev Kelvin Holdsworth of St Mary's Cathedral in Glasgow said in his sermon: "People do ask me whether it is hard to speak of the love of God when difficult things happen.

"It is sometimes hard to find the right words but the truth is, the love of God coming to illuminate the darkest of times is what we always celebrate at Christmas, no matter what year we are in and no matter what has happened.

"The light comes into the world. That is the truth we gather here to proclaim right at the darkest time of year."

Four people remain in hospital following the George Square tragedy.

A 14-year-old girl, two women aged 18 and 64, and a 57-year-old man are all now in a stable condition, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said.

Police Scotland have made a fresh appeal for anyone with footage of the incident to send it to them.

They said a "thorough and exhaustive" investigation is under way and will continue throughout the festive period.

Anyone with video footage is asked to send it to georgesquareincidentscotland.pnn.police.uk.

Additional reporting by PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in