Victims seek Clutha crash truth as inquiry starts after 5 year wait
A father of a victim of the Clutha Bar tragedy has said he hopes the inquiry into the helicopter crash establishes the truth.
The fatal accident into the 2013 disaster, in which ten people died, began today in a temporary court in Hampden Park, Glasgow.
In a statement read out on behalf of Ian O’Prey at the beginning of proceedings, the crown was accused of “five-and-a-half years of apparent silence”
The statement continued: “I hope the inquiry arrives at some truth and I wish it well.”
The long-awaited inquiry into the incident, when a police helicopter crashed onto the roof of the popular riverside bar in Glasgow, opened with a minute’s silence. Many in the public gallery were heard gulping back tears.
Tributes to some of the victims were then read out to the court. Seven patrons of the pub died in the crash, as well as three members of the helicopter crew.
A statement read on behalf of the family of Colin Gibson said: “If you were lucky enough to meet him you knew you had. He made a lasting impression.
“He enjoyed playing and listening to music. He had many plans for the future and we will now never know what he will go on to achieve.
“He had never visited the Clutha bar before but he wanted to because he loved music. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
The sisters of Gary Arthur told the inquiry in a statement: “He was caring, loving and could also be annoying in our younger years.
“He was a joker and he continued to be a loving rogue throughout his life.
“Nothing will ever bring our brother back, but hopefully we will finally be given the chance to find closure.
“We want to remember Gary as a much-loved person and not just a victim of the Clutha.”
61-year-olf football lover Robert Jenkins was the oldest victim of the crash. A statement from his partner Mary Kavanagh, read by Donald Findlay QC Said: “Mary finds it very ironic that the FAI is taking place at a venue that Robert held in such high esteem.”
She last saw Mr Jenkins when he went to the bar to buy her a cranberry juice.
The statement said she wants the inquiry to establish “why she went into the bar that night with the man she was going to spend the rest of her life with and came out alone”.
Speaking to the BBC before the inquiry began she said she hopes the inquiry will bring “closure for everyone”.
The fatal accident inquiry is expected to last for six months, with 57 witnesses expected to give evidence. The police have already taken over 2000 statements relating to the event.
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