UPDATE4 -- Garbage truck plows into pedestrians in Glasgow, killing several

USPA News - A garbage truck plowed into Christmas shoppers in the Scottish city of Glasgow on Monday afternoon, killing an unknown number of pedestrians and seriously injuring at least seven others, local authorities said, adding that the crash is not believed to have been deliberate. The accident happened at around 2:30 p.m. local time near George Square in the city`s center when a garbage truck struck a number of pedestrians before coming to stop against the side of the Millennium Hotel.

Police Scotland confirmed multiple people had been killed and at least seven others were seriously injured. British media reported at least six deaths. "A Glasgow City Council bin lorry was traveling 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," police said in an emailed statement. The statement added: "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." A police spokesman added that the driver was among those injured and had been taken to an area hospital, where his condition was not immediately known. The spokesman added that the crash was not believed to have been a criminal or deliberate act, but declined to provide further details. "Firefighters, police officers and ambulance paramedics have been working side-by-side to help those involved, however it has sadly been confirmed there have been fatalities," a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) spokesman said. The victims of the crash have been taken to Southern General Hospital, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the Western Infirmary. Councillor Gordon Matheson, the leader of the Glasgow City Council, called Monday`s accident a "terrible tragedy" and said the Council`s thoughts are with those affected, "My priority now is to do what we can to support everyone involved and to give every assistance to the police and other emergency services as they investigate this incident and care for those who are injured," he said. British Prime Minister David Cameron, writing on the social networking website Twitter, said that he was being briefed on the deadly incident. "I`m being kept fully briefed on the major incident in Glasgow. My thoughts are with the families of those involved and emergency services," he said. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, meanwhile, called on people in Glasgow to let their relatives know if they were not hurt. "My thoughts with everyone involved in the dreadful George Square incident," she wrote on Twitter. "If you are in the city center, please let your relatives know you are ok."