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UK News

Police chaplain talks of guilt on helicopter crash response

Revd Neil Galbraith works with Police Scotland officers in the city and will hold a memorial service one year on from the crash.

Ten people died when the police chopper fell from the sky onto the roof of the Clutha Bar in the city centre on November 29.

Another 32 people were injured in the pub which had around 120 people inside listening to a live band.

Revd Galbraith arrived at the scene less than an hour after the impact and said he was confronted with 'a moment of terrible change'.

"I felt both sick and strong at the same time because there was a job to do," he said.

REX/Anita Russo

Floral tributes still remain outside the pub

A memorial service will take place at Glasgow Cathedral led by the minister of the cathedral, Rev Dr Laurence Whitley.

Archbishop of Glasgow Rt Revd Philip Tartaglia will read a homily.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will read from a Letter to the Ephesians from the New Testament whilst Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins will read from the Book of Revelation.

Families, friends, representatives of the education, emergency and health services, as well as civic and church leaders will also be represented.

Following the crash Pope Francis expressed his 'closeness' with the people of Glasgow.

A statement said: "I assure you of my prayers for those who have tragically lost their lives or have been injured as well as their relatives.

"May the Lord grant eternal rest to those who have died and comfort their relatives and the entire community of Glasgow in these moments of distress and sadness."

Revd Galbraith also told Premier that one year on he feels guilt about that night.

"One of the big things I live with is a guilt factor. Did I do enough for the families?

"Was there more that could have been done? Did I move quick enough? I don't think I could have moved any quicker physically but it doesn't stop me thinking perhaps that there was something else that I could have done."

Pilot David Traill and his passengers, police officers Kirsty Nelis and Tony Collins, lost their lives.

Those killed in the pub were John McGarrigle, Mark O'Prey, Gary Arthur, Colin Gibson, Robert Jenkins and Samuel McGhee. Joe Cusker was pulled from the wreckage alive but later died in hospital.

Thousands of floral tributes were left at the scene in the days after the incident and there are still flowers being left outside the pub every day.

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