Priests provide support after Glasgow helicopter crash

Priests from St Andrew’s Cathedral parish were among those offering comfort to traumatised survivors as well as to those bereaved by last Friday’s police helicopter crash on Glasgow’s riverside, writes Brian Morton.

The Clutha Vaults pub is less than a quarter of a mile from the cathedral where on Saturday, the Feast of St Andrew, the Archbishop of Glasgow, Philip Tartaglia, said Mass for the dead, injured and bereaved. He said: “I was distressed by the news of last night’s incident in central Glasgow near our cathedral when a helicopter crashed into the Clutha Vaults pub. My heart goes out to all those who have been affected by this tragic accident. May the gentle presence of Jesus comfort us all at this difficult time. St Andrew, patron of Scotland, pray for us.”

Pope Francis has also expressed his “closeness” to the people of Glasgow in a message delivered via the nuncio to Britain, Archbishop Antonio Mennini.

This week, Archbishop Tartaglia visited the site of the crash and met members of the fire service and the police to express his sympathy and support. On Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg visited the crash site; he also met the archbishop and visited St Andrew’s Cathedral.