Inquiry into Clutha crash to begin in April

A fatal accident inquiry into the Clutha helicopter crash which claimed 10 lives will begin in April.

Seven customers, the pilot and two officers on board were killed when the Police Scotland helicopter crashed on to the roof of the Glasgow pub on November 29 2013.

The latest preliminary hearing was told the full fatal accident inquiry (FAI) will begin on April 8 at Hampden Park.

Family members, Police Scotland, Airbus Helicopters and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) are among those represented at the inquiry.

Sheriff Principal Craig Turnbull, who is overseeing the FAI, said 17 parties are currently participating in the inquiry which will sit until at least into August with a series of adjournments due to events at Hampden Park.

Lawyers representing some of the victims’ families said their participation could be “limited due to funding” with Legal Aid applications in process.

Sheriff Turnbull set a further preliminary hearing in January for updates on the Legal Aid issue.

More than 100 people were at the Clutha Vaults pub when the helicopter, returning to its base on the banks of the River Clyde, crashed through the roof.

Pub customers John McGarrigle, Mark O’Prey, Gary Arthur, Colin Gibson, Robert Jenkins, Samuel McGhee and Joe Cusker died, while pilot David Traill and crew Pc Tony Collins and Pc Kirsty Nelis were also killed.

Picture: PA. The scene of the crash five years ago.