Police helicopter crashes into Glasgow pub

A police helicopter has crashed into the roof of a pub in the Scottish city of Glasgow, causing multiple injuries, lawmakers and witnesses said.

Firefighters, paramedics and police rushed to the Clutha pub on Friday after the accident, which happened while the pub was full of revellers celebrating the start of the St Andrew's Day weekend.

It happened at The Clutha in Stockwell Street at 22:25 on Friday.

Police Scotland say there were three people on board the helicopter - two officers and a civilian pilot.

Police have not confirmed whether anyone has died but 32 people have been taken to local hospitals. It is not known how many people are still trapped inside the pub.

A senior fire officer said they had made contact with some people trapped inside the pub but the building was unsafe and they were taking a "methodical" approach to the rescue.

It has been reported that about 120 people were in the pub at the time of the crash. Many were rescued or escaped but others have been trapped by a collapse on the left-hand side of the building.

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said that people should prepare for the likelihood of fatalities.

"Given an incident of this scale we must all prepare ourselves for the likelihood of fatalities," Salmond said, adding that a full rescue operation was under way.

Several pictures on social networks showed what appeared to be the wreckage of a dark-coloured helicopter with yellow police markings.

Part of the helicopter had apparently crashed through the roof of the one-storey pub.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said: "My thoughts are with everyone affected by the helicopter crash in Glasgow - and the emergency services working tonight."