Glasgow bin lorry crash - 22 December 2014

Any photos, videos, any type of mobile footage of #GeorgeSquare road incident please send it to georgesquareincident@scotland.pnn.police.uk.

Jack Alistair: My thoughts are with the relatives of those involved in the tragic accident at #georgesquare Glasgow,

Pamela Jane: #Glasgow #GlasgowILoveYou #GeorgeSquare #GlasgowCrash

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Shocked & saddened by events in #georgesquare Glasgow. A&E very busy but remember NHS24 is here to help if you need support.

Elizabeth Bell, Glasgow: Such terrible and tragic event, especially at this time of year, thoughts and prayers to all the victims and their families. R.I.P. Xx

Glasgow Archbishop Philip Tartaglia: "The circumstances could hardly be more tragic. I would ask any person of faith to pray for those who have died and their relatives and those who have been injured."

Church of Scotland Moderator John Chalmers: "The news from the city centre of Glasgow just a few days before Christmas is simply devastating. For the second year in a row Glaswegians will have to dig deep into their reserves of compassion and sympathy as they support the families of those who have been killed and injured today."

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Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson: "This is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected, particularly the families of those who have lost their lives."

Glasgow Lord Provost Sadie Docherty: "This is shocking and upsetting. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those affected by this terrible incident."

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon: "My thoughts are with everyone involved in this tragic incident, and especially with the friends and families of the six people who lost their lives in what is another sad day for Glasgow and Scotland."

Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy: "People in Glasgow and across the whole of Scotland will be mourning this loss of life so close to Christmas. No words will be able to do justice to the pain the families involved will be feeling this evening."

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Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson: "This is a terrible tragedy, right in the heart of Scotland's biggest city. No-one expects that ordinary people, out to do some last-minute Christmas shopping, would fail to make it home."

Prime Minister David Cameron: "I'm being kept fully briefed on the major incident in Glasgow. My thoughts are with the families of those involved and the emergency services."

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Labour leader Ed Miliband: "Terrible news from Glasgow - my thoughts are with all those affected by this horrific accident."

Police Scotland launched a dedicated number - 01786 289070 - for anyone who has concerns about relatives or friends. It has also urged people in the city centre to let relatives know they are safe and well.

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A major investigation is now under way to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Glasgow City Council offered to turn off the Christmas Lights in George Square as a mark of respect but police requested they be kept on to assist with their inquiry.

Six people were killed and eight others injured after an out-of-control bin lorry crashed into pedestrians in central Glasgow.

The council vehicle then crashed into the Millennium Hotel, near Queen Street station in George Square, at 14:30.

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Eyewitnesses described emergency services battling to save the lives of injured people on the street.

Police Scotland declared a major incident but said there appeared to be nothing "sinister" about the crash.

Anne: A terrible day in #Glasgow. Condolences to everyone affected by the tragedy at #GeorgeSquare

Gemma Clark: The emergency services in Glasgow are exceptional. last year #Cluthacrash this year #georgesquare & they act so fast to help.

Cara Pleym: Devastated by the events in #georgesquare today, thoughts are with the family and friends of those directly affected

Radio Clyde News tweets: Floral tributes already being placed close to scene of fatal bin lorry crash in #glasgow #georgesquare.

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Just left Govan police station where I've been getting briefed on response to #georgesquare tragedy. My heart simply breaks for all affected.

Politicians, religious and civic leaders have spoken of their shock at today's incident.

Police Scotland have confirmed that eight people are currently receiving treatment for their injuries in three city hospitals.

This is in addition to the six people who were fatally injured.

Scottish FA chief executive Stewart Reganfalse Another tragedy for Glasgow to deal with this afternoon. Sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones in the George Square crash.

Speaking earlier this evening, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon described today's events as "heartbreaking".

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"This is a horrific and tragic incident," she said. "Horrific whenever it would have happened, but three days before Christmas it is absolutely heartbreaking.

"First and foremost my thoughts, and I'm sure the thoughts of everyone across Scotland and indeed the UK, are with those who have lost loved ones in this dreadful incident; everybody who has suffered injury; and of course those who witnessed this.

"All of our thoughts are with everyone affected, in any way."

Eyewitness Stephen McNeil described seeing the lorry mounting the kerb.

"I was coming out of a shop and we looked over to the left and we saw this woman screaming and this man on the floor," he said.

"We looked around the road further and we seen this bin lorry just mounting the kerb going left to right, just hitting people where they were standing.

"Such a horrible scene."

Speaking on Reporting Scotland, Chief Inspector Mark Sutherland said it currently does not appear that the numbers of those injured in George Square were "exceeding double figures".

He said that it was too early to say what had happened this afternoon.

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Chief Insp Sutherland said: "We are now in an investigation and response phase and are working with our partners to make sure we get to the bottom of exactly why this happened.

"Eyewitnesses are currently being interviewed by detectives to establish exactly what happened and if anyone else has information then please come forward on our 101 number.

"We have put our a police helpline which is being very well used but if you are in the city centre please phone your love ones and let them know what you're safe and well."

Emma: My thoughts and prayers are with those affected in the tragic incident that happened in Glasgow today. #georgesquare

Karen Southern: Tragic news in Glasgow this evening. my thoughts and prayers are with those poor people who've lost loved ones #GeorgeSquare

Hilary Cubie: Thoughts are with everyone affected in the #georgesquare accident! So sad to hear something like that in the city you live in.

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Anon: In the office in the Merchant Building on George Square, not being allowed to leave the building, not sure what's happening. Very upsetting and sad.

Anon: As a Glaswegian living in France I am shocked by what has happened today and my thoughts are with the bereaved families and the citizens of this fine city.

Adam Goss: Thoughts and prayers to those affected by the incident in Glasgow this afternoon.

Rory Bremner: Terrible that Glasgow's mighty spirit is being tested yet again by tragedy. At this time too. Heartfelt sympathy to victims & families.

Paul Lawrie: Awful news from Glasgow my thoughts with everyone affected by the tragedy.

Ross Murdoch: Such tragic news from Glasgow this evening! My thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this personally and also the witnesses.

BBC Scotland's Catriona Renton at Glasgow Royal Infirmary: Nine people have been taken by the emergency services to hospitals across the city. The driver is one of those in hospital. There is no update on his condition.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Cleggtweets: Horrific news in Glasgow. My heart goes out to the families of all those caught up in this awful incident.

An extended Reporting Scotland is getting under way on BBC One Scotland.

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You can watch the programme here.

Standing in George Square at the moment it is much quieter than you'd normally imagine at six o'clock at night. All the roads nearby are closed off and far fewer pedestrians than usual.

Emergency vehicles are, of course, still at the scene and there remains a heavy police presence to both guard the scene and offer advice to people trying to find an alternative route.

Comedian Janey Godley, who was present in the aftermath of the incident in George Square this afternoon, has posted this picture showing metal poles bent flattened to the ground by the bin lorry.

She writes: "The force of this accident bent the traffic poles".

Janey GodleyCopyright: Janey Godley

Anon: On the train from Montrose to Glasgow Queen Street and our next stop is Queen Street - the mood is very sombre.

Alistair Carmichael, the Secretary of State for Scotland, said: "I share Scotland's deep shock at the horrible events in Glasgow this afternoon."

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"On the eve of the festive period, these are unimaginable scenes in one of the busiest parts of our largest city.

"My thoughts are with the bereaved, the emergency services dealing with the aftermath and everyone affected by this terrible incident."

Sandra White, the MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, said the mood was "one of shock".

"It's surreal to say the least," she added. "I was in Queen Street myself half an hour before this happened. It brings it home to you that this could have happened to anyone.

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"The first thing in people's minds was, not another tragedy so soon after the Clutha.

"But Glasgow will pick itself up - we are resilient people. But obviously our thoughts are with the people who are suffering at the moment, the families."

Commenting on the tragedy in Glasgow, Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy said: "We don't yet know the full extent of this tragedy, but my thoughts and prayers are with everybody involved.

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"People in Glasgow and across the whole of Scotland will be mourning this loss of life so close to Christmas. No words will be able to do justice to the pain the families involved will be feeling this evening.

"I want to pay tribute to our emergency services, who are performing heroics in the worst of circumstances. They will have the admiration of every Glaswegian and all Scots."

We are expecting another update from the police very shortly. Officers are making their way in at the moment. There are a number of fire engines and paramedics still on the scene.

Glasgow City Council tweets: We considered switching off Christmas lights in George Square as a mark of respect. Police asked us to leave them on to help investigation.

Police Scotland have confirmed that six people have been killed in the Glasgow bin lorry crash.

As you can imagine many people working in the blocks around here are absolutely shocked by what they saw earlier on this afternoon.

Some have been out handing out tea to passers-by and the emergency services and talking about what some of their colleagues saw.

Coverage of events in George Square continues live on BBC Radio Scotland #Glasgow #georgesquare

Witness Janey Godley told the BBC News Channel that people were "getting CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on the ground" when she arrived in George Square.

"I think I was there just as the ambulances arrived because there was stuff strewn, debris strewn, all over the street, Christmas shopping all over the street," she said.

Ms Godley said she saw three people being treated by emergency crews.

"People were being worked on, people were fighting for their lives on the pavement as shoppers were standing," she added.

"People just like me had arrived on the most shocking scene they ever wanted to see this Christmas. George Square is a square with a fairground and an ice rink and Santa and the tree and everything."

Labour MP for Glasgow Central, Anas Sarwar, is calling for anybody in the George Square area to contact family:

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Anyone who is concerned that their loves ones might have been caught up in the incident can call the Police Scotland helpline on 01786 289070.

A number of people have been coming here delivering flowers, because they've just heard the news and felt that they needed to do something.

Ian Davidson, the Labour MP for Glasgow South West, said: "This is a tragic accident at any time. But obviously in the run-up to the Christmas holiday period, people were shocked and astounded by what has happened.

"My understanding is that the emergency services responded as quickly as possible, very quickly indeed, and that everything possible was done for the injured.

"So with any luck we will have the number of casualties minimised.

"My understanding is that there has been a number of deaths and obviously there needs to be a complete investigation into what has happened."

Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Mawson of Police Scotland said: "Investigations continue into the circumstances of the tragic incident in George Square today. While those investigations are continuing, we can however confirm that this is not a terrorism-related incident."

Anyone in Glasgow city centre today is being urged to let family members and friends know that they are safe. Anyone who is concerned that they know someone who has been involved in the incident should contact the Police Scotland helpline number on 01786 289070.

Watch here to see Police Superintendent Stewart Carle explain what happened when the bin lorry crashed into people in Queen Street.

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SNP MSP for Glasgow Humza Yousaf tweets: Glaswegians already showing compassion & solidarity. Glasgow cabbie will take anyone affected home/hospital for free.

Police Scotland say all casualties from the George Square incident have been taken to the Southern General Hospital, Royal Infirmary and Western Infirmary.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie tweets: Horrific news from George Square. My thoughts are with families, friends and injured.

Eyewitness Stephen McNeil said: "I was coming out of a shop and we looked over to the left and we saw this woman screaming and this man on the floor.

"We looked around the road further and we seen this bin lorry just mounting the kerb going left to right just hitting people where they were standing.

"Such a horrible scene."

Labour leader Ed Miliband and Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy have both tweeted about the incident.

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Angela McManus, a reporter with The Herald, said: "We ran down and went down to the street and at that point as you say there were bodies lying on the road. It was pretty bad.

"There were hundreds of Christmas shoppers, obviously the school holidays had just finished up on Friday night so there were lots of young families, people everywhere.

"The ice skating rink and the carnival are at George Square so there were hundreds and hundreds of people.

"People just looked stunned. There were screams, sirens, no one really knew at first what had happened."

Police Superintendent Stewart Carle of Police Scotland has said: "We are currently starting a joint investigation with the criminal investigation department as to what has happened this afternoon.

"The driver has also been taken to hospital where he is receiving treatment."

The road is closed off from Ingram Street and Queen Street to George Square.

There will be an extended edition of Reporting Scotland on BBC One tonight from 18:30 to 19:30, presented by Jackie Bird from the scene.

It seems that bulk of the casualties happened in the area between the Gallery of Modern Art and George Square, before the vehicle continued on its way back, this time on the road, before embedding itself in the hotel.

That's a journey of something like 300 yards - it would have taken a few seconds to travel up, if it was going at any speed.

Former first minister Alex Salmond tweets: Thoughts & prayers with all those caught up with tragic accident in Glasgow.

Prime Minister David Cameron tweets:

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Anjan Luthra witnessed the crash. He told BBC News: "I work in George Square and had nipped out for lunch, and was in the queue in Greggs. All of a sudden I heard this screaming and quite a consistent racket.

"I ran out of the store and right directly across from me, I was just watching a very very heavy bin lorry just flatten bodies on the pavement. It was driving along the pavement and taking everything along with it, and then it went across the street.

"Immediately people started calling 999, and started directing traffic.

"There were two bodies right in the centre of the T-junction who were getting CPR mouth-to-mouth and there were some bodies that were so fatally injured that you couldn't really do anything."

Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson said: "This is a terrible tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected."

Police Scotland tweets: If you have any concerns relating to the #GeorgeSquare incident please dial Police Scotland's major incident hotline on 01786 289 070.

Police Scotland have confirmed there have been "a number of fatalities".

A spokesman said: "About 14:30 today, a Glasgow City Council bin lorry was travelling 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.

"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."

Watch James Cook's report on the bin lorry crash which has caused the deaths of several people in Glasgow.

The Police Superintendent said he was unable to confirm that number of fatalities because they are over a number of sites.

He said he understood there to be "at least seven people seriously injured" but said that that number may well rise.

The injured have been taken to three major hospitals in Glasgow: The Western Infirmary, Glasgow Southern General and the Royal Infirmary.

He also asked the public not to call the Police on 101 to seek further information, and said that the police number would be issued later this afternoon for those who are worried.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "My thoughts are with everyone involved in the dreadful George Square incident."

One eyewitness at the scene at George Square said: "People were being worked on, people were fighting for their lives on that pavement as shoppers were standing. People were helping."

The crash is being treated as a road traffic incident and police do not believe there is anything "sinister".

Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson was in Glasgow at the time of the accident and paid tribute to the way people reacted.

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She said: "I was in Argyle Street doing my Christmas shopping.

"It would appear that the response, just like last year with the Clutha disaster, by passers-by, pedestrians, normal Glaswegians has been magnificent.

"They came to aid at the very beginning. They stopped traffic as soon as the emergency services got there.

"They followed all instructions. They did everything that they could."

At the scene of the accident Police Superintendent Stewart Carle said: "At about 14:30 this afternoon a Glasgow City Council refuse bin lorry was travelling north on Queen Street, when it collided with a pedestrian.

"The lorry continued up Queen Street towards George Square and there has been a number of other collisions with pedestrians on the pavement. As a consequence there have been a number of fatalities. The bin lorry came to rest at the Millennium Hotel.

"The seriously injured and injured have been taken to the three Glasgow major incident sites.

"We are working with our partners to resolve the situation and as quickly as possible identify those that have lost their lives, and to be there to support their families and next of kin."

Police spokeswoman confirmed a number of fatalities, that number she would not confirm. There have also been a number of people seriously injured.

There are a number of fire engines and a number of paramedics still at the scene, where stretchers have been led in.

What we have heard from eyewitnesses is that the bin lorry appears to have careereed out of control and hit a number of people.

We've also heard from one witness who described the driver of the bin lorry as "slumped over the wheel".

Witness Anjan Luthra said staff from a nearby Pizza Express were "helping to cover up bodies".

"Pedestrians were doing mouth-to-mouth to numerous injured people.

"It seemed as if the driver had a heart attack."

An eyewitness in Glasgow has described seeing several bodies lying on the road after the bin lorry crashed.

Police have not confirmed how many people are injured but have described the crash, outside Queen Street station, as "very serious".

Witness Janey Godley said: "There are people on the ground getting CPR and there were bodies still on the road when I approached.

"And the whole surrounding area of George Square and the streets leading into it are absolutely hammered with the emergency services getting there.

"It's the busiest time of year and it's also going to be the saddest time of the year for those families."

Did you witness the lorry crash in George Square in Glasgow? Please share your stories but do remain safe.

Email your pictures and eye witness accounts to newsonlinescotland@bbc.co.uk.

A picture of the corner of Queen Street and St Vincent Street.

Alasdair McKerralCopyright: Alasdair McKerral

The eyewitness says that the lorry continued up the length of Queen Street before hitting the Millennium Hotel.

A spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: "Along with all the emergency services, we have an emergency plan that automatically kicks in when there is a major incident."

Restaurant owner George Smith told BBC Scotland about the scenes at George Square.

He said: "It [the lorry] started from the bottom of Royal Exchange Square and crashed into the wall at the Millennium Hotel.

"A customer walked into our restaurant and told us what happened outside. We walked outside and in the first five minutes the first ambulance arrived.

"The police and ambulance arrived quite fast. I was quite surprised because they were very, very fast."

Another image of the incident on George Square

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Hannah Rodger, Reporter for the Evening Times, Herald and Sunday Herald, tweets: Serious accident involving a bin lorry at George Square. At least 5 cars damaged, ambulance taken patients to hospital.

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A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "Firefighters are in attendance at a serious incident on Queen Street.

"We received a 999 call at 2.30pm reporting a collision and currently have five appliances at the scene.

"Our crews are working alongside other emergency responders to conduct a rescue operation".

Emergency services called to the scene after reports of a 'terrible accident'.

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tweets: Major incident here in Glasgow's George Square

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Viewer Eric Smith sent in this picture of the incident in George Square.

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The Scottish Sun tweets: BREAKING NEWS: Passers by injured as bin lorry loses control near #georgesquare #glasgow

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James Matthews, Sky News Scotland Bureau Chief, tweets: Sky sources- at least two people dead after bin lorry collides with pedestrians in Glasgow's George Square & crashes into hotel.

BBC Scotland's Gary Robertson was close by when the bin lorry accident happened.

He said: "I didn't see it but heard a huge bang.

"I saw several people lying on the floor and many ambulances in attendance.

"People have told me it must have been going at great speed."

Photographer Stephen Gibson was at George Square when the incident occurred, and took this picture of the scene.

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He told BBC Scotland: "I heard a loud bang, but I didn't see exactly what happened.

"The police have closed the whole area off."

tweets: Six people feared dead after bin lorry crashes into pedestrians in Glasgow city centre

Glasgow City Centre - George Square closed because of an ongoing police incident. Severe congestion. Please avoid.

Royal Mail has set up a contingency collection and delivery hub in Kilmarnock ATC Hall, after floods cut off access to their delivery office in Queens Drive Retail Park.

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The company say they have delivered all special delivery items and parcels to customers in Kilmarnock today and hope to be able to access their delivery office tomorrow if the water subsides.

They ask that any customers with concerns about mail delivery contact their customer services line on 03457 740740.

tweets: Man calls police to report break-in...then finds noise is actually cops coming to arrest him.

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Read the full story here.

On the A90 heading to Dundee, roadworks at the Swallow roundabout are causing long delays. There is a two-mile tailback going back towards Longforgan.

Watch Catriona Renton's report as firefighters rescue 42 people who were stranded by floodwater at a supermarket in East Ayrshire.

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The Asda at Queen's Drive Retail Park, Kilmarnock, was surrounded by water after the River Irvine burst its banks.

Gordon Milligan, of Broughty Ferry, sent us this picture of "a perfect winter day's diving at Saint Catherine's".

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Email us your pictures and we will use the best.

A murder inquiry has been launched after the death of a man in Clydebank.

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John McCallum, 49, was discovered with serious injuries at his home in Meldrum Street, Whitecrook, at about 21:30 on Thursday, 18 December.

He was taken by ambulance to the Western Infirmary in Glasgow where he died on Saturday.

A post mortem examination has taken place and police are treating his death as murder.

Police have identified a woman whose body was found on a path near the River Nith in Dumfries and Galloway after a search operation.

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Jane Brann, 56, of New Abbey, had been reported missing on Friday.

A search of the surrounding area was carried out by police and a Royal Navy helicopter was also involved.

Her body was found on a river path at Kingholm Quay at 08:00 on Saturday. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances.

Up to 300 jobs could be created after plans for a new restaurant and cinema development in the heart of Aberdeen were approved.

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The multi-million pound plans are to expand the Bon Accord and St Nicholas shopping centres.

They include a 28,000 sq ft cinema complex featuring seven screens, with the capacity to seat 800 people.

The approval by Aberdeen City Council also paves the way for seven new restaurants.

Former Scotland manager Craig Brown on #Rangers: Board should 'get down on hands and knees' and get Walter Smith to come back as manager

In Dumfries and Galloway, the A74 (M) remains closed northbound for accident investigation work between J20 Eaglesfield and 19 Ecclefechan.

For drivers in Kilmarnock, the A76 is closed between Bellfield Interchange and the Crossroads roundabout.

B852 through Caldercruix is also closed because of flooding.

tweets: An Aberdeen occupational therapist who moonlighted for another health provider on her sick days from NHS Grampian has been given a five year caution.

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Read the full story here.

Police in Edinburgh say they are increasingly concerned about a teenage boy who has been missing for more than a week.

Jye Slater, 13, left his home in the south of the city on 13 December.

He has since been seen in the Muirhouse and Drylaw areas but has not been traced.

Officers say it is unusual for him to go missing for such a long time and are keen to hear from anyone who may know where he is.

High court judges in Edinburgh are to be asked whether the conviction of Abdelbaset al Megrahi for the 1988 Lockerbie bombing can be reviewed.

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The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission says it is seeking to establish whether families of the victims of the bombing are able to request a review.

Megrahi abandoned an appeal against his conviction for 270 counts of murder days before he was released from prison on compassionate grounds in 2009. He died three years later.

The Commission said although the Libyan's family had originally applied for a review of the case, it had reached the conclusion that they were no longer actively supporting the application.

It said it was therefore seeking the court's advice on whether members of the victims' families are entitled to pursue an appeal as previous court decisions had restricted such a role to executors and next of kin.

The new single Scottish police service has been praised for its approach to the investigation of rape.

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A report by the inspector of constabulary says the creation of Police Scotland has brought a more consistent approach to inquiries.

Derek Penman assessed the way police in Fife approach rape investigations, and has praised their work.

During the last year, there has been an 85% rise in the number of reports but police in Fife had one of Scotland's highest detection rates.

Mr Penman singled out the way that police link with voluntary sector victim support agencies and the National Rape Taskforce.

He says the new single police force has brought specialist support to all investigating officers and a more consistent approach across the country, and that the vast majority of victims in Fife had commented favourably on the way police had handled their case.

Police in Edinburgh have released images of a man they wish to trace in connection with a serious assault in Edinburgh's Cowgate on Easter Monday.

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The incident happened at about 03:15 on 21 April 2014 when a 26-year-old man was assaulted and sustained serious injuries.

Detectives want to speak to the man pictured in the CCTV footage.

He is tall, white, of heavy build with medium length blond to brown hair with shaved sides.

Chairman David Somers brings Q&A to a conclusion: "Any other questions, you have my email address."

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A man charged with murdering Glasgow gangland figure Kevin "Gerbil" Carroll is to stand trial next year.

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William Paterson is accused of repeatedly shooting 29-year-old Mr Carroll outside the Asda store in Glasgow's Robroyston area on 13 January 2010.

The 35-year-old is also accused of fleeing to Spain 10 days after the shooting. Mr Paterson denies all charges against him. His trial will begin in May.

I am doing a survey, nobody at the desks near me sleep well. We seem to expect the impossible. Anyone out there actually sleep 8hrs?

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Tweet me on @BBCJohnBeattie and let me know.

Somers: Ashley adamant that Rangers should survive, and we are fortunate to have access to his interest free loans.

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Derek Llambias, the new chief executive of Rangers, said: "Surprise when Ally handed in notice. He felt he had done his time and was willing to work notice. We needed time to reflect.

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"Ally came in last evening and we felt it was better to let Ally spend time at home and take gardening leave. He did a great job."

Follow the latest developments here.

Rangers chairman David Somers: "I asked Dave King to show me the money and reveal 8 investors. He didn't. I know a lot of you think he's the Messiah but he's cost the club millions of pounds with season ticket boycott. If King wants to invest he has my personal phone number."

tweets: Waterlogged in Kilmarnock

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Up to your waist in water.

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A motorcyclist who was killed in a crash with a van on the A84 has been named as Gerald Mullen of Falkirk.

The 44-year-old was involved in a collision with the van on the Stirlingshire road near Blackdub Farm at about 21:00 on Saturday.

The road was closed for some time for police investigations. The van driver was not injured.

Officers have appealed for any witnesses who saw the van or motorcycle to come forward.

Shareholder: "The fact that you're the figurehead of our great club is an embarrassment. Will you please walk away?" Somers: "Can we have some proper questions please?"

John Hove: Ally has always had the best interests of the club in his time at Ibrox unlike the money grabbers who are now trying to run the club into the ground. A once great club is heading for oblivion and all these anti-Rangers vultures out there picking over the club's bones are too blinkered to see the damage that will be done to Scottish football, blinded by their own prejudices and jealousy.

Marie, Uddingston: Ally resigns just after his salary jumps back up to 750000, survives meeting with new chief executive, then just before board meeting goes off on gardening leave. Ps who decided his 750000 in the first place?

Former Rangers player John Brown to Derek Llambias: "I hope you are of better quality to the rats at that table." He receives a standing ovation.

Shareholder says no member of family at games for first time since days of Struth because of board. How do they intend to bridge funding gap? Somers: "Reason for asking permission for share issue is to address this."

A passenger was hurt when a train came to a halt after striking flood water on a rail line in East Ayrshire.

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ScotRail said the passenger was treated "for a minor head injury" following the incident near Mauchline, between Kilmarnock and Auchinleck, on Sunday.

The train operator said the 22:12 Glasgow Central to Carlisle service "came to a halt after striking a large volume of water" on the line.

Passengers were taken off the train by fire crews.

A woman was left "mortified" after calling in the Scottish SPCA to rescue an injured parrot - but it was a Christmas hat.

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The animal charity was called to the scene on Great Western Road in Aberdeen, near Tesco Express, after what was believed to be a parrot was seen in the middle of the road.

Animal rescue officer Karen Hogg said: "It's fair to say the lady who called was mortified when I called her back."

tweets: David Somers is badly misjudging mood of crowd by cracking gags about voting intentions re his and fellow directors re-election.

Twitter user WMD has sent us these pictures of flooding at the waterside in Irvine.

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WMDCopyright: WMD

To send us your pictures of flooding in your area email newsonlinescotland@bbc.co.uk or tweet using #ScotlandLive.

An MP has expressed disappointed that the UK transport secretary has declined to meet North Sea helicopter crash survivors and families of victims.

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Aberdeen North Labour MP Frank Doran had asked UK government minister Patrick McLoughlin to reconsider his request.

Four people died when a Super Puma crashed off Shetland in August last year.

Mr Doran said those left behind deserved to have their say.

The accident was the fourth of its kind in five years.

tweets: Chief executive Derek Llambias "honoured" to have been appointed. "Ready to roll up my sleeves and get on with hard work. Understand your frustrations. Must take difficult decisions but everything in interests of Rangers."

A bus carrying passengers crashed into a bridge on its way into Aberdeen city centre.

Christopher Leadbetter via Evening ExpressCopyright: Christopher Leadbetter via Evening Express

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "The bus crashed into the parapet of the bridge at the south end of College Street. There was no obvious damage and it was a minor scrape.

"There was no one injured and the road was not closed."

Read the full story here.

SEPA confirm 34 flood warnings are currently in place for Scotland.

SEPACopyright: SEPA

Get full details here.

Scotland TransServ tweets: A76 closed in both directions at Bellfield Int/Bowhouse roundabout due to flooding from Cessnock water.

Scotland TransServCopyright: Scotland TransServ

The coastguard joined in the search for an Eyemouth man over the weekend.

Kevin RaeCopyright: Kevin Rae

John Young was last seen leaving The Fleet pub on Friday at about 18:30 - heading towards the harbour.

Police, along with coastguard colleagues, spent the weekend searching for the 66-year-old.

He is described as white, just over 6ft tall, of slim build, with short dark hair and a beard. He was wearing a hat, a dark grey jacket, fawn trousers and a blue T-shirt.

tweets: Caller Chris in Aberdeen had his say on Morning Call - he thinks footballers and managers get too much money. Do you agree?

Let us know what you think: email newsonlinescotland@bbc.co.uk or tweet using #ScotlandLive.

tweets: Somers drowned out by booing and further shouts of "out, out"

Due to high winds forecast, CalMac services from Oban, Fionnphort, Berneray and Mallaig are currently disrupted.

Colin Smith/GeographCopyright: Colin Smith/Geograph

Check the CalMac site to see if your service is affected.

Firefighters have rescued 42 people who were stranded by floodwater at a supermarket in East Ayrshire.

BBCCopyright: BBC

The Asda at Queen's Drive Retail Park, Kilmarnock, was surrounded by water after the River Irvine burst its banks.

Fire crews were dispatched from Glasgow and Ayrshire after staff alerted the emergency services at 06:12.

A rigid inflatable boat was used to take 40 adults and two children from the store. They were checked by paramedics but no-one was injured.

Anon, Inverness: I do not follow football but are you saying that McCoist hands in his notice and his EMPLOYERS pay him wages in lieu of notice? I wish I had a job which I could give up AND get my employers to pay me for a year.

Jack, Edinburgh: Given half a chance Rangers and Celtic would be playing in England. They do not give a stuff about the health of Scottish football.

Joe, Fife: Ally is picking the pockets of ordinary people who can ill afford tickets to see Rangers. Managerially he is a disaster and would have been dismissed for under performance in any other walk of life. Ally has had a charmed life characterised by pay massively in excess of his limited talents - paid for by under privileged fans. Shocking.

• Perth and Kinross - C423 is closed at Aberbothrie due to flooding.
• Accident around a mile north of junction 20 - the Eaglesfield junction - of the northbound A74(M) means the road is closed at the scene.
• ScotRail - possible disruption between Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley following flooding at Addiewell, although all lines have now re-opened.
• Trains between Dumfries and Kilmarnock cancelled due to flooding at Mauchline. Replacement transport has been arranged.
• Airports in London are warning of possible disruption to flights due to of high winds. Check with your airline.

Southern and central areas will be cloudy with further outbreaks of rain, which will be heavy at times especially across Strathclyde and Dumfries and Galloway where there is a continued risk of flooding.

A brighter day further north, with showers in the north west and Northern Isles turning wintry on the hills, while much of the north east will stay dry with some sunshine.

During the afternoon, Argyll and the central belt will become drier.

A mild day in the south with temperatures up to 10C but colder in the north.

A major search and rescue operation is continuing along the banks of the River Nith in Dumfries.

Stephen StachowiakCopyright: Stephen Stachowiak

It follows reports of a man having gone into the water close to the Nithsdale Rowing Club boathouse.

The alarm was raised in the early hours.

The operation has involved a Royal Navy helicopter, the Nith Inshore lifeboat team, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland.

Rangers hope to be given the go-ahead to launch a new share issue at the club's AGM today.

SNSCopyright: SNS

Chairman David Somers will read a statement in which he will say fund-raising efforts in 2014 fell short of the amount the club had hoped for.

"We are requesting permission to enable us to issue shares to improve the long term financial stability of the club," Somers' statement reads.

Rangers had asked existing shareholders for fresh investment in the past year.

Firefighters said 35 people have been stranded in a supermarket by floodwater after a river burst its banks.

Scottish Fire and RescueCopyright: Scottish Fire and Rescue

Water rescue crews are in attendance at the Asda supermarket in Queen's Drive, Kilmarnock, where members of staff and customers are stranded by floodwater.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said there were no injuries to report.

Emergency services have been working through the night to tackle several incidents of serious flooding after heavy rain in Ayrshire.

The Queen's Drive Retail Park was flooded after the River Irvine burst its banks.

On a bitterly cold winter's day, I am sitting on a bench in Edinburgh's Inverleith Park having a curious device designed to monitor my stress levels fitted to my head.

BBCCopyright: BBC

I'm already wearing Google Glass and I'm beginning to feel like Scotland's uncool answer to RoboCop. In a hi-vis jacket.

But there's a good reason for my ignominy.

I'm about to take part in research designed to find ways of increasing confidence amongst reluctant cyclists.

• Read David's account of the Brains on Bikes project.

Metal detectorist Alistair McPherson has a nose for finding treasure.

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"I seem to have a third sense when it comes to fields", he said.

"Several of my friends call me The Magnet."

Together with a team of archaeologists, Mr McPherson discovered a hoard of Roman and Pictish silver in a farmer's field. It has been hailed as the most northern of its kind in Europe.

#Rangers chairman: taken 1st steps to effective engagement w fan base. "I think that we'd all agree we still have work to do in this area"

BBC Radio Scotland tweets: On Morning Call from 0850 with @kayeadams.

BBCCopyright: BBC

Traffic Scotland tweets: #edintravel: #A720 W/B Baberton to Dreghorn - traffic very heavy due to possible RTC. More info to follow #planahead

Traffic ScotlandCopyright: Traffic Scotland

Billy Davies is in the frame for the Rangers job, while one Celtic defender could be on his way out of Parkhead.

SNSCopyright: SNS

Check out all the latest sports gossip.

Thirty-one Scottish international rugby players died in World War One, more than any other country. Discover their story.

Scottish Rugby UnionCopyright: Scottish Rugby Union

Police confirm that a woman died in the crash on the A74 (M) this morning. The road remains closed.

They are also looking for a man who was given a lift north from the scene of the crash to the motorway services at Johnstonebridge.

He may have a head injury.

Police said the man was about 30, of Asian appearance, about 6ft tall with dark hair and long sideburns.

The man was last seen at the petrol pumps and then the main building at the services between 06:00 and 06:30 hours.

Over the weekend, Scotland's top prosecutor Frank Mulholland said he continued to believe Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was guilty of carrying out the Lockerbie bombing 26 years ago. He was responding to pressure from those who think the case against the Libyan was flawed.

APCopyright: AP

Frank Duggan, the president of the Victims of Pan AM Flight 103, told Good Morning Scotland that the US victims of the atrocity were not as concerned by these "conspiracy mavens".

He said: "One of the reasons that does not trouble us here in the United States is that that view is simply not credible."

He added: "We know there are people there (in the UK) who are like a dog with a bone. No matter how much evidence is presented to show that this man was guilty they are not going to change their position and that is not going to affect us one way or the other."

#Rangers chairman David Somers to spell out need for cost-cutting at AGM today. His speech has conspicuous lack of thanks to Ally McCoist

Many of today's newspaper front pages feature the story of Ally McCoist, who has left his job as Rangers manager and has been put on gardening leave for the next year.

BBCCopyright: BBC

The Scottish Sun headlines the story "Ally put out to grass".

The Daily Record leads with the story of a foodbank over Christmas, while the Scottish Daily Mail highlights the last minute dash of shoppers for the festive season.

BMA chairman Dr Peter Bennie told Good Morning Scotland that new proposals were expected soon on the training of junior doctors.

He said: "We've yet to see exactly what will come out of that but the current proposals would lead to junior doctors training for a shorter period of time that they do just now and therefore to consultants having less experience and less breadth than they do just now.

"That has an obvious knock-on effect for patient care."

One person has died in a two-vehicle crash on the M74 motorway in Dumfriesshire, police have said.

The collision involved a car and a van on the northbound carriageway between junction 20 Eaglesfield and junction 19 Ecclefechan.

The motorway was closed in the area of the accident at about 06:30 and traffic was being diverted on to the B7076.

Police were appealing for witnesses.

Covering Rangers, you learn to expect the unexpected. I think most people though expected this.

David RogersCopyright: David Rogers

McCoist handed in his resignation last Friday and was then told by the board that he can work his 12-month notice period but I understand he was called into a meeting at Ibrox last night and the chief executive and former managing director of Newcastle FC Derek Llambias basically told him things couldn't carry on and he was being put on gardening leave.

It means he will be paid until his contract runs out and his assistant Kenny McDowall is now in charge until the end of the season.

BMA chairman Dr Peter Bennie told BBC radio's Good Morning Scotland that "targets" for the NHS measured "whatever is in the target rather than necessarily the quality of patient care".

He said: "For example, the target for maximum four-hour waits in A&E puts the pressure on to move patients out of A&E and into the main part of the hospital. However, that does not cover what happens thereafter.

"For some of those patients they would have been better treated if they could have stayed a little longer in A&E, got all the necessary results and gone home again."

Scottish construction firms have called for increased funding to help recruit and train more apprentices.

ThinkstockCopyright: Thinkstock

The Scottish Building Federation (SBF) said employers had highlighted critical skills shortages in a number of key trades and managerial positions.

They were raised in the group's latest quarterly Construction Monitor, which also found industry confidence at its highest since the survey began in 2008.

SBF said it was now time to review funding for recruitment and training.

Last night, it emerged Ally McCoist has left his position as Rangers manager and the Scottish Championship club said he is now "on gardening leave".

SNSCopyright: SNS

The 52-year-old handed in his resignation earlier this month and had started his 12-month notice period.

McCoist remained in charge of the team for the defeat by Queen of the South and Saturday's win against Livingston.

A club statement said assistant manager Kenny McDowall (pictured left) will take over as manager until the end of the season.

The body that represents doctors has said real change is needed to tackle the challenges facing the NHS in Scotland.

ThinkstockCopyright: Thinkstock

Dr Peter Bennie, chairman of the BMA in Scotland, said the health service must learn from past "mistakes and missed opportunities".

He said there had been huge reliance on the goodwill of staff, but that this was not a sustainable solution.

The Scottish government said it agreed that the way health and social care is delivered in Scotland must change.

Good morning, and welcome to today's Scotland Live blog. We will bring you all the latest news, sport, weather and travel throughout the day.