The bodies of the nine people who died in the Glasgow helicopter crash have been released to their families to allow them to make funeral arrangements, Alex Salmond announced yesterday.
Speaking at Holyrood, the first minister extended “our deepest sympathies” to victim’s relatives on behalf of MSPs and the public and said people’s thoughts and prayers were with everyone affected.
The nine victims were killed when the police helicopter crashed onto the roof of the Clutha pub on Friday night.
They were identified as Robert Jenkins, 61, and Mark O’Prey, 44, both from East Kilbride in South Lanarkshire, 33-year-old Colin Gibson of Ayr, John McGarrigle, 57, from Cumbernauld in North Lanarkshire, Gary Arthur, 48, from Paisley, and Samuel McGhee, 56, of Glasgow.
The three crew members of the helicopter, a regular sight in the north and north-east, were named as pilot David Traill, 51, and police officers Kirsty Nelis, 36, and Tony Collins, 43.
Eleven of the 32 people injured remain in hospitals across Glasgow.
Books of condolence have been opened in Glasgow City Chambers and the parliaments in Edinburgh and London.
Glasgow-born entertainer Billy Connolly visited the scene yesterday and laid a bouquet of flowers with a note that read “Rest in Peace friends” at a memorial site.
The 71-year-old performed in the pub and said he had “many happy times in there”.
“It’s very sad but it means quite a lot to me. I have played in all of these pubs. The Clutha was a good music pub. They didn’t mind banjo players,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg also laid flowers at the site and signed a book of condolence.
Mr Salmond has said an interim report on the incident from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) could be ready within a week but the final report may take many months.
Two of the aircrew who died had ties with the Western Isles.
Pilot David Traill’s family on his father’s side originally came from Drinishader in Harris.
The mother-in-law of police navigator Tony Collins, 43, lived at Uig on Lewis until her death three months ago. Margot Pratt stayed with her husband Alistair in the village of Reef.
Meanwhile, the organisers of a community run Christmas street ceilidh in Stornoway tomorrow evening have announced all proceeds will go to the Clutha Appeal Fund set up by Glasgow City Council for the families of the victims. Donations are being accepted on 0141 287 7878.