FAI into ten Clutha deaths to start in April

A fatal accident inquiry into the Clutha helicopter disaster will not start until next April, the Crown Office has announced.

Ten people died after a Police Scotland helicopter crashed onto the bar in Glasgow city centre in November 2013.

The FAI is due to get underway on 8 April after three preliminary hearings from 3 October at Hampden Park, where the inquiry will be held.

Thompsons Solicitors, which represents the families of two of those who died and many of the 31 injured, said: “It has taken far too long for us to reach this stage.”

Pilot David Traill and crew members Constable Tony Collins and Constable Kirsty Nelis aboard the helicopter were killed.

Seven customers of the bar also died - John Mcgarrigle, Mark O’prey, Gary Arthur, Colin Gibson, Robert Jenkins, Samuel Mcghee and Joe Cusker.

Patrick Mcguire, a partner with Thompsons Solicitors, said: “This is very welcome news from the Crown Office, although it has taken far too long for us to reach this stage.”

The Crown Office previously pledged: “We appreciate the wait for a decision regarding proceedings must have been extremely difficult and stressful for those affected and we will keep them informed of significant developments.”