´óÏó´«Ã½

November 29th 2013 was a lively night in Glasgow city centre. The last Friday of the month was pay day for many, the next day was St Andrews Day. But for seven people in the famous Clutha Bar, it was their last ever drink. At 10.22pm, as more than 100 people were enjoying a live band, a police helicopter crashed through the roof of the building. The pilot and his two colleagues were both killed instantly.

Those inside the pub were covered in thick dust, some trapped by debris. Others outside formed a human chain to pull out the injured. Emergency services arrived to find chaotic scenes with uncovered bodies and distressed people whose loved ones were still inside.

More than 30 people were taken to hospital. Those with missing relatives spent an agonising weekend waiting for news.

Two inquiries found that the helicopter’s two main fuel tanks had run out of fuel and that the switch to a back-up tank had been inexplicably turned off. In the end, the crash was put down to pilot error – a conclusion which his family and many survivors strongly refute.

Kirsty Wark brings together survivors and members of the emergency services to share their experiences of that terrible night and the aftermath. Mary Kavanagh was out with her partner Robert Jenkins who died while getting her a drink. Nancy Primrose was out with her sister, the first time she’d been well enough to go out after recovering from spinal surgery. Local MP and shadow Secretary of State, Jim Murphy, just happened to be passing and joined in trying to help the severely injured.

Also joining us are Alan Crossan, the bar’s owner, who was at home recovering from a heart attack and has worked tirelessly ever since to support those affected; Stephen Wright, who led the urban fire and rescue team; and Patrick O’Meara, who was in charge of the complicated ambulance response at the scene.

Presenter: Kirsty Wark
Producer: Karen Pirie
Series Producer: David Prest
A Whistledown production for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4