Three members of same family killed in Glasgow crash

Jack Sweeney, 68, his wife Lorraine, 69, and their granddaughter Erin McQuade, 18, died after the council vehicle drove through streets full of Christmas shoppers.

Mr Sweeney, from Dumbarton, was a former president of Bramalea Celtic supporters club in Canada. A statement posted on the club’s Facebook page said: “It is with great shock and sadness we share with you our friend and past president Jack Sweeney, his wife Lorraine and granddaughter Erin were victims of today’s tragedy in Glasgow.

“Our thoughts and prayers go to the family and friends of the Sweeney family.”

Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh, Stephenie Tait, 29, from Glasgow and Jacqueline Morton, 51, from Glasgow, also died.

Ten people were injured in the crash, with six people, including the driver of the bin lorry, still being treated in Glasgow hospitals.

Four patients remain in Glasgow Royal Infirmary, although one is expected to be discharged later today. Another is described as being in a critical condition, one patient is serious but stable, and one patient is stable.

Jack Sweeney, his wife Lorraine and their granddaughter Erin McQuade

The six people were killed when the lorry mounted the pavement yesterday, travelling for around 300 metres before crashing into the side of a hotel.

The incident happened in George Square which was packed with Christmas shoppers and families enjoying the annual winter carnival.

A special prayer service has been held for the victims at the nearby St George’s Tron Parish Church.

Reverend Alastair Duncan, minister of St George’s Tron Church of Scotland said that Glasgow had been left “in sorrow and shock” and “in a place of brokenness and grief” as a result of the “pain and devastation that has come to families in this city”.

“We feel for the pain of others in the city because we understand something of the burden carried in the hearts by those who have lost loved ones, are concerned for those in hospital, for the emergency workers who have been at the front line in meeting human need.

“We come together conscious of the suddenness of tragedy and loss, even in a season that is intended to be of joy and goodwill and peace.”

Emergency services

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon praised the “sheer professionalism” of the emergency services.

“The emergency services have been on the scene all night. The bodies of those who sadly lost their lives have now been taken away from the scene,” Mrs Sturgeon said.

Flags on public buildings are flying at half-mast in remembrance of those who died.

There are reports that the driver of the bin lorry may have been ill at the wheel as he travelled up Queen Street.

The accident comes just 12 months after 10 people died in the Clutha Bar helicopter crash in Glasgow.

Meanwhile, Northumbria Police said that a teenager has been arrested after allegedly posting an offensive Twitter message relating to the bin lorry crash.