Updated at 11.30pm
THE WRECKAGE OF the police three-tonne Eurocopter was carefully removed from the Clutha Vaults pub in Glasgow this morning.
The rotor blades and part of the tail were removed yesterday and the fuselage was secured and winched slowly through the roof of the building this morning.
Police had been criticised over the weekend for the perceived slow pace of the rescue and recovery mission. However, fire officers explained the presence of the helicopter was hampering their work.
It was in an unsafe and unstable position throughout the search and fire officers have had to dig around the craft as they looked for victims and injured parties. The task was described by workers as one of the most difficult operations the UK has seen.
Specialist officers stood on either side of the aircraft as it was raised inch by inch by a crane. The craft was held together with various straps and covered in sheets.
Source: AP" title="">
Source: AP" title="">
Source: PA Wire/Press Association Images" title="">
Source: PA Wire/Press Association Images" title="">
Source: PA Wire/Press Association Images" title="">
Source: PA Wire/Press Association Images" title="">
Source: PA Wire/Press Association Images" title="">
Source: AP" title="">
Source: AP" title="">The wreckage will now head to an Air Accidents Investigation branch where it will be examined carefully.
“As soon as that is back on the ground, crews will be immediately put back into the building to complete the search,” said the assistant chief fire officer, David Goodhew.
Five of the nine victims of Friday night’s crash have been named. They include pilot, David Traill, and two police officers, Kirsty Nelis and Tony Collins.
Samuel McGhee (56) and Gary Arthur (48) were patrons of the pub when the helicopter came down at 10.25pm.
First posted at 4.49pm
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