Anjan Luthra witnessed the crash. He told BBC News: "I work in George Square and had nipped out for lunch, and was in the queue in Greggs. All of a sudden I heard this screaming and quite a consistent racket.

"I ran out of the store and right directly across from me, I was just watching a very very heavy bin lorry just flatten bodies on the pavement. It was driving along the pavement and taking everything along with it, and then it went across the street.

"Immediately people started calling 999, and started directing traffic.

"There were two bodies right in the centre of the T-junction who were getting CPR mouth-to-mouth and there were some bodies that were so fatally injured that you couldn't really do anything."

Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson said: "This is a terrible tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected."

Police Scotland tweets, external: If you have any concerns relating to the #GeorgeSquare incident please dial Police Scotland's major incident hotline on 01786 289 070.

Police Scotland have confirmed there have been "a number of fatalities".

A spokesman said: "About 14:30 today, a Glasgow City Council bin lorry was travelling north on Queen Street when it appeared to strike pedestrians outside the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) before continuing to travel towards George Square, when it crashed at the Millennium Hotel on Queen Street at George Square.

"There have been a number of fatalities and people injured.

"Emergency services are currently at the scene. Police have declared the scene a major incident.

"All roads in the surrounding area are closed and people are advised to stay away from George Square and make alternative travel arrangements."

Watch James Cook's report on the bin lorry crash which has caused the deaths of several people in Glasgow.

The Police Superintendent said he was unable to confirm that number of fatalities because they are over a number of sites.

He said he understood there to be "at least seven people seriously injured" but said that that number may well rise.

The injured have been taken to three major hospitals in Glasgow: The Western Infirmary, Glasgow Southern General and the Royal Infirmary.

He also asked the public not to call the Police on 101 to seek further information, and said that the police number would be issued later this afternoon for those who are worried.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "My thoughts are with everyone involved in the dreadful George Square incident."

One eyewitness at the scene at George Square said: "People were being worked on, people were fighting for their lives on that pavement as shoppers were standing. People were helping."

Several people have been killed after a bin lorry crashed into pedestrians in George Square in central Glasgow.

Police Scotland said there had been "a number of fatalities and people injured" in the crash, outside Queen Street station at about 14:30.

The crash is being treated as a road traffic incident and police do not believe there is anything "sinister".

The crash is being treated as a road traffic incident and police do not believe there is anything "sinister".

Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson was in Glasgow at the time of the accident and paid tribute to the way people reacted.

She said: "I was in Argyle Street doing my Christmas shopping.

"It would appear that the response, just like last year with the Clutha disaster, by passers-by, pedestrians, normal Glaswegians has been magnificent.

"They came to aid at the very beginning. They stopped traffic as soon as the emergency services got there.

"They followed all instructions. They did everything that they could."

At the scene of the accident Police Superintendent Stewart Carle said: "At about 14:30 this afternoon a Glasgow City Council refuse bin lorry was travelling north on Queen Street, when it collided with a pedestrian.

"The lorry continued up Queen Street towards George Square and there has been a number of other collisions with pedestrians on the pavement. As a consequence there have been a number of fatalities. The bin lorry came to rest at the Millennium Hotel.

"The seriously injured and injured have been taken to the three Glasgow major incident sites.

"We are working with our partners to resolve the situation and as quickly as possible identify those that have lost their lives, and to be there to support their families and next of kin."

Laura Bicker
Scotland Correspondent, BBC News

Police spokeswoman confirmed a number of fatalities, that number she would not confirm. There have also been a number of people seriously injured.

There are a number of fire engines and a number of paramedics still at the scene, where stretchers have been led in.

What we have heard from eyewitnesses is that the bin lorry appears to have careereed out of control and hit a number of people.

We've also heard from one witness who described the driver of the bin lorry as "slumped over the wheel".

Witness Anjan Luthra said staff from a nearby Pizza Express were "helping to cover up bodies".

"Pedestrians were doing mouth-to-mouth to numerous injured people.

"It seemed as if the driver had a heart attack."

An eyewitness in Glasgow has described seeing several bodies lying on the road after the bin lorry crashed.

Police have not confirmed how many people are injured but have described the crash, outside Queen Street station, as "very serious".

Witness Janey Godley said: "There are people on the ground getting CPR and there were bodies still on the road when I approached.

"And the whole surrounding area of George Square and the streets leading into it are absolutely hammered with the emergency services getting there.

"It's the busiest time of year and it's also going to be the saddest time of the year for those families."

BBC Have Your Say
BBC News

Did you witness the lorry crash in George Square in Glasgow? Please share your stories but do remain safe.

Email your pictures and eye witness accounts to newsonlinescotland@bbc.co.uk.

Several people have been killed after a bin lorry crashed into pedestrians in George Square in central Glasgow.

Police have not confirmed reports of up to six fatalities but described the crash, outside Queen Street station at about 14:30, as "very serious".

Eyewitnesses reported the bin lorry moving at speed up Queen Street before hearing a bang as it crashed into the Millennium Hotel.

Several people were seen lying on the ground following the crash.

A picture of the corner of Queen Street and St Vincent Street.

Image source, Alasdair McKerral

The eyewitness says that the lorry continued up the length of Queen Street before hitting the Millennium Hotel.

A spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: "Along with all the emergency services, we have an emergency plan that automatically kicks in when there is a major incident."

Restaurant owner George Smith told BBC Scotland about the scenes at George Square.

He said: "It [the lorry] started from the bottom of Royal Exchange Square and crashed into the wall at the Millennium Hotel.

"A customer walked into our restaurant and told us what happened outside. We walked outside and in the first five minutes the first ambulance arrived.

"The police and ambulance arrived quite fast. I was quite surprised because they were very, very fast."