Ian Davidson, the Labour MP for Glasgow South West, said: "This is a tragic accident at any time. But obviously in the run-up to the Christmas holiday period, people were shocked and astounded by what has happened.

"My understanding is that the emergency services responded as quickly as possible, very quickly indeed, and that everything possible was done for the injured.

"So with any luck we will have the number of casualties minimised.

"My understanding is that there has been a number of deaths and obviously there needs to be a complete investigation into what has happened."

Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Mawson of Police Scotland said: "Investigations continue into the circumstances of the tragic incident in George Square today. While those investigations are continuing, we can however confirm that this is not a terrorism-related incident."

Anyone in Glasgow city centre today is being urged to let family members and friends know that they are safe. Anyone who is concerned that they know someone who has been involved in the incident should contact the Police Scotland helpline number on 01786 289070.

Watch here to see Police Superintendent Stewart Carle explain what happened when the bin lorry crashed into people in Queen Street.

SNP MSP for Glasgow Humza Yousaf tweets:, external Glaswegians already showing compassion & solidarity. Glasgow cabbie will take anyone affected home/hospital for free.

Six people confirmed to have been killed and a number of others injured after an out-of-control bin lorry crashed into pedestrians in central Glasgow.

The council vehicle then crashed into the Millennium Hotel, near Queen Street station in George Square, at 14:30.

Eyewitnesses described emergency services battling to save the lives of injured people on the street.

Eight people receiving hospital treatment following the crash, police say.

Police Scotland have declared a major incident but said there appeared to be nothing "sinister" about the crash.

Police Scotland say all casualties from the George Square incident have been taken to the Southern General Hospital, Royal Infirmary and Western Infirmary.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie tweets:, external Horrific news from George Square. My thoughts are with families, friends and injured.

Eyewitness Stephen McNeil said: "I was coming out of a shop and we looked over to the left and we saw this woman screaming and this man on the floor.

"We looked around the road further and we seen this bin lorry just mounting the kerb going left to right just hitting people where they were standing.

"Such a horrible scene."

Labour leader Ed Miliband, external and Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy, external have both tweeted about the incident.

Image source, Twitter

Image source, Twitter

Angela McManus, a reporter with The Herald, said: "We ran down and went down to the street and at that point as you say there were bodies lying on the road. It was pretty bad.

"There were hundreds of Christmas shoppers, obviously the school holidays had just finished up on Friday night so there were lots of young families, people everywhere.

"The ice skating rink and the carnival are at George Square so there were hundreds and hundreds of people.

"People just looked stunned. There were screams, sirens, no one really knew at first what had happened."

Police Superintendent Stewart Carle of Police Scotland has said: "We are currently starting a joint investigation with the criminal investigation department as to what has happened this afternoon.

"The driver has also been taken to hospital where he is receiving treatment."

The road is closed off from Ingram Street and Queen Street to George Square.

There will be an extended edition of Reporting Scotland on BBC One tonight from 18:30 to 19:30, presented by Jackie Bird from the scene.

Reevel Alderson
Home affairs correspondent, BBC Scotland

It seems that bulk of the casualties happened in the area between the Gallery of Modern Art and George Square, before the vehicle continued on its way back, this time on the road, before embedding itself in the hotel.

That's a journey of something like 300 yards - it would have taken a few seconds to travel up, if it was going at any speed.

Former first minister Alex Salmond tweets, external: Thoughts & prayers with all those caught up with tragic accident in Glasgow.

Prime Minister David Cameron tweets, external:

Image source, Twitter