30/11/2013 BBC Weekend News

An investigation is underway after a helicopter crash in Glasgow. Eight

people are confirmed dead. It came down on the roof of a busy pub in

the city centre. 14 more are seriously injured. There was a loud

bang, and a couple of seconds later the pub collapsed in on itself.

Emergency services are still at the scene as investigators try to piece

together what went wrong. Also tonight: Soil from First World War

battlefields is delivered to a memorial garden in London ahead of

centenary commemorations. And triumph for Australia as they

thrash New Zealand in the final of the Rugby League World Cup.

Good evening. An investigation is underway tonight after a helicopter

crashed through the roof of a crowded pub in Glasgow. The police

helicopter came down late last night, killing all three people on

board and another five who were in the city centre pub. Scotland's

first minister, Alex Salmond, has called it a "black day for Glasgow

and Scotland". The Queen has said her thoughts and prayers are with

the victims. Our correspondent James Cook is at the scene.

Yes, this has been a traumatic day for Glasgow. It began with some hope

that survivors might began -- found amongst the rubble, but that hope

dwindled. The operation behind me has been dangerous, and dangerous

and distressing as well. My report contains flash photography. At first

glance, it is hard to see what happened here, but look closer and

the site is both surreal and shocking. The pub was packed, the

music loud, and nobody heard the helicopter coming down until it was

too late. Suddenly I heard this very loud bang. The ceiling had fallen

onto the bar, where the central bit of the pub is. Reflecting on what

happened, how do you feel? I consider myself very, very lucky to

be where I was, and I feel very sorry for the unlucky ones who were

caught under the rubble. Within minutes, dozens, then hundreds of

firefighters, police and paramedics were on their way. But before they

arrived, it was the people of Glasgow who risked their lives to

help. They had no training, but they did not hesitate. Are you OK? It is

a bit of a blur, but people formed a sort of human chain, side-by-side

with each other to help pull injured people out. Jim, there is blood on

your shirt. Yes, it is not mine. As the night wore on, there was some

hope. Firefighters said they had made contact with survivors trapped

in the pub. But for one man, watching and waiting all night for

news of his father there was no comfort. I know my dad was in there.

My family have checked everywhere. We know he was in there. And it has

hit it right in the bit where he sits. As the sun rose, -- seemed

clear that any hope of rescue was gone, and within a few hours and

emotional Chief Constable confirmed that eight people were dead. Three

of these eight fatalities were found within the helicopter and were our

colleagues. The remaining five people were found within the

building. There are many, many questions about

what happened here, but for now, this city is still overwhelmed with

shock. The focus now is beginning to move

towards the recovery operation here. They have brought in a large

crane onto the site near to the helicopter itself, which is still

enmeshed within the building. And what they will try to do, they

think, is try to lift the helicopter up to check underneath it to see

what might lie underneath. That will obviously be very difficult indeed

and will be a slow process. One accident investigator, who is very

experienced, described the situation as one of the most complex sites

he'd ever been on in his career. That gives you a sense of how hard

it will be. Also, the investigators are appealing for any video or

skills of what happened here last night, people should get in touch to

find out what caused this terrible crash -- stills.

The type of helicopter that crashed is widely used among emergency

services here and abroad. Air accident investigators are at the

scene, examining the wreckage, and trying to work out what caused it to

fail. Our Transport Correspondent Richard Westcott reports.

It is the workhorse for many emergency services over the world, a

common sight flying low over our cities, but now there is a question

over its safety. Eyewitnesses could provide important clues. I could

hear a spluttering, mechanical noise like a car running out of petrol but

very loud. I felt it was right about me and I was looking to see what was

going on, and I saw the tail fin of the helicopter falling out of the

sky. But investigators will begin by focusing on the wreckage. We will

make sure the whole tale is there, the propellers on the back are

mounted on the tail. We have here one of the main rotor blades

protruding through the building which talents -- tells us it was

attached to the helicopter at the time. We will look for witness

marks, was rotating, did it cut into the building or was it at a complete

stop when it hit the building? That will tell as part of the story as to

whether they were powered, whether the pilot was in control, or whether

they just seized completely. The EC135 has an excellent safety record

and is widely used by police forces and Ambulance Services. It has two

engines, but even if both of those engines fail, pilots are trained to

land safely by gliding to the ground. Those pilots are also

regularly tested to cope with emergencies. It is not thought that

the helicopter had a black box on board, but the computer systems

should still tell investigators what was happening when the aircraft lost

height. The pilot union said that trends in helicopter safety was a

matter of concern after a series of accidents, mainly over the North

Sea. Even so, it could be awhile before we know just what has caused

crash. -- this crash. Across Scotland flags have been

flying at half-mast as a mark of respect for the victims of the

crash. Many St Andrew's Day events were cancelled and football grounds

observed a minute's silence. From Glasgow, Chris Buckler reports on

how the city responded to the tragedy.

As darkness returned to Glasgow, so did the thoughts of what happened

last night. They are impossible to ignore in the street still cordoned

off and of what remains of the Clutha pub. Throughout the day the

anxious wait for news has brought little but misery. Both the worried

and thankful gathered at a Mass held at St Andrews Cathedral just minutes

from the side of the crash. It was disturbing and distressing to see

the images of this helicopter, it was surreal. Many in the city have

friends who were injured when the helicopter came crashing down. My

friend, Douglas, he went ahead of me by a couple of minutes and he

unfortunately was in the bar. I was making my way along Clyde Street and

as I approached the bar there was a very loud explosion. Shock and grief

has united people. The silence at today's match between Falkirk and

Glasgow Rangers said more than any one individual could. In each of the

stands, they stood to show their respect for the dead and injured.

This is a black day for Glasgow and for Scotland. But it is also St

Andrews Day, and the day where we can take pride and courage in how we

respond to adversity and tragedy. There is no doubt that what was to

have been a day of national celebration has become one of the

morning. There are people going out in Glasgow this evening, but the

events of the last 24 hours hanging over this Saturday night. After all,

nobody who went to the Clutha bar could have predicted the chaos

there. On the eve of December, it is not Christmas lights that stand out

in the streets, but the bright lights of search teams working to

uncover the dreadful reality. In other news, a man has been killed

during political protests in the Thai capital, Bangkok. Police said

five others were injured when pro-government demonstrators clashed

with those calling for the Prime Minister to resign. The leader of

the protest movement has called for "an all-out assault" on government

buildings tomorrow in an effort to bring down the current

administration. One of the biggest British film

stars of the 1940s and 50s, Jean Kent, has died at the age of 92. The

actress made her name in a series of melodramas made by Gainsborough

Pictures after the Second World War. During her film career she worked

alongside Marilyn Monroe, Michael Redgrave and Laurence Olivier.

70 sandbags full of earth gathered from the battlefields of Flanders

have been carried through central London to a memorial garden to mark

next year's 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War. The

soil was taken by gun carriage from HMS Belfast on the Thames to

Wellington Barracks, where the garden is being created. Robert Hall

reports. This was a journey full of echoes from the past. The clatter of

horses hooves, a gun carriage which is -- left the factory as the clouds

of war gathered and an escort drawn from regiments which left so many in

Belgium and France. Every generation should remember, especially now

because there is no real living memory left. I felt completely

honoured to be underneath the Menin Gate for the correct -- collection

of the soil, and paraded to London again. A journey that began in the

Menin Gate on Armistice Day symbolising a bond of friendship

that has enjoyed her nearly a century. -- in Jordan for nearly a

century. It is important to remind people what it is like. My uncle was

gassed in the First World War, so we have to think about what they did.

My grandfather fought in that war and we think it is important to pay

respect. With the 100th anniversary next year, it is so important. A lot

of us have a lot to learn from it. 1000 schoolchildren from Britain and

Belgium had gathered soil at 70 Commonwealth war cemeteries. Today,

age old Patrick Casey was chosen to add the first contribution to the

new memorial garden. -- eight-year-old. It makes me feel

proud and excited. It is very special, because we're talking about

soldiers that risked their lives for us. This is more than a gesture of

remembrance. The soil and the poppy seeds it contains will provide a

haven of peace and reflection in the hubbub of a modern city.

With all the sport now, here's Karthi Gnanasegaram at the BBC Sport

Centre. Thank you very much. Australia have

been crowned rugby league world champions for the 10th time. They

beat the 2008 World Cup winners New Zealand by 34-2 in front of a

world-record crowd. The holders against the favourites,

New Zealand and Australia emerged to 74,000 roaring voices and one

overriding question, on the grandest stage of all, who would seize the

moment? Thurston again with a measured kick. Slater! The suspense

did not last long as Australia produced a masterclass, with tries

from Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk putting them clear, as New

Zealand's hopes were swamped in a sea of green and gold. After the

break, Triumph became a trouncing. Billy Slater is loving this World

Cup final! In the last final Australia were ambushed by New

Zealand. Two tries from Brett Morris ensured there would be no repeat.

Brett Morris dives in and scores. The advertising hoardings were about

the only thing that could stop him, and the pain soon turned to pleasure

and a record-breaking victory. An utterly one-sided final won by

Australia, but they won't mind that. World champions for the 10th

time in emphatic style. Unlike that rather one-sided

contest, Wales and Australia were involved in a thrilling encounter in

the last of the autumn internationals. Wales had a great

start as George North scored inside two minutes to help them go into a

13-3 lead, but Australia came back with three tries, the best scored by

Christian telephone no. Despite late pressure, Australian came --

Christian Lele Fahrner. Despite late pressure Australian came back. Six

matches in the Barclays Premier league and 13 in the Scottish cup.

Much of the Day follows, so please pop out of the room if you don't

want to know the results -- Match of the Day. Aaron Ramsey scored two

goals but did not celebrate either of them against his former club as

Arsenal beat Cardiff City to move three points clear at the top of the

table. Aston Villa and Sunderland drew 0-0, but there was a big win

for Everton who move up to fourth place after a 4-0 victory over

Stoke. Newcastle beat West Bromwich Albion, and Crystal Palace are

bottom of the table after defeat to Norwich. Fuller's bad run continued

after they lost 3-0 at West Ham. Rangers beat Falkirk, but there was

a surprise defeat for Motherwell as they were knocked out by Albion

Rovers. All of the results are on the BBC sport website. England's

cricketers drew their final warm up game before the second Ashes test

against Australia. Monty Panesar took three wickets, and Graeme Swann

picked up for in the two-day game in Alice Springs. Australia's

chairman's 11 declared on 254-8. The second test match starts in Adelaide

on Wednesday night. That is all from the sports centre.

You can, of course, see more the day's stories on the BBC News

Channel. That's all from me though. Have a good night.