On Friday, November 29, 2013, a typical Friday night at the pub turned into a nightmare when a police helicopter crashed into the roof, killing ten people and injuring many more.
The horrific incident changed the lives of those involved and now a decade on, the new documentary Clutha will reflect on the events that unfolded that evening.
Survivors, eyewitnesses, journalists and emergency service staff will share their personal testimonies.
Regular customer Mary Kavanagh who lost her partner Robert that night, tells their story, while Ann Feeney describes the ‘silence’ that fell after the roof collapsed and ‘thought there had been a bomb’.
Mary Kavanagh and her partner Robert. (Image: Newsquest)
Anne Marie Kennedy, who was working behind the bar, describes ‘feeling like my leg was dangling in the cellar’ and later discovered her leg ‘snapped’ when the helicopter hit.
The Clutha’s owner Alan Crossan also explains how the incident brought people together for something good and led to the formation of a Trust helping young people in Glasgow access music, theatre and art projects.
Clutha will also feature interviews with Scottish Ambulance Service Incident Commander Pat O’Meara, who describes the ‘hellish scene’ his teams were faced with.
The former General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, Calum Steele, shares his memories of the unique and personal challenges his colleagues faced knowing they had lost their own colleagues in the accident.
Another aspect of the documentary looks at the role of ‘citizen journalists’ – as much of the news unfolded through social media – and the new challenge of these people reporting and sharing events ahead of official news outlets.
Clutha will be shown on BBC ALBA at 9pm on Wednesday, November 29 and will also be on BBC iPlayer for 30 days.
