Glasgow bin lorry crash: Grandparents Jack and Lorraine Sweeney and granddaughter Erin McQuade among six victims named
Five women and one man were killed in George Square crash
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A pensioner couple and their teenage granddaughter have been named as three of the six victims of the Glasgow bin lorry crash by a relative on social media.
John Sweeney, known as Jack, 68, from Dumbarton and Helen Sweeney, known as Lorraine, 69, and their 18-year-old granddaughter Erin McQuade were among six who died in the disaster.
The other three victims were named by Police Scotland as Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh, Stephenie Tait, 29, from Glasgow and Jacqueline Morton, 51, from Glasgow.
John Sweeney, a relative of Mr and Mrs Sweeney, posted on Facebook: "No words can describe the pain. R.I.P. Jack, Lorraine and Erin. Thoughts and prayers go out to the other families that lost loved ones as well."
Cameron House Hotel at Loch Lomond, where Ms McQuade was a housekeeper, said it was "saddened" at the loss of "one of our brightest and dedicated members of housekeeping staff".
The hotel said in statement: "We want to offer our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of Erin and to all those who have been affected by the tragic events at George Square yesterday."
The Bramalea Celtic Club in Ontario, where it appears Mr Sweeney was once president, also paid tribute.
The crash took place in George Square which was packed with Christmas shoppers and families at the annual winter carnival when the lorry mounted the pavement in the busy city centre before crashing into the Millennium Hotel, next to Queen Street Station.
A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said there were two other crew members on the lorry at the time of the crash, but said the condition of the two men was not known.
The Queen said she was "saddened" by the event and said she and the Duke of Edinburgh sent their "thoughts and prayers" to the families affected by the tragedy.
"This sad event is made even more difficult as it comes at Christmas time. I send my condolences to all the people of Glasgow."
A fleet of private ambulances carrying the dead left the area earlier this morning.
The Christmas lights have been switched off in George Square and flags on public buildings in the city are flying at half-mast.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the city was waking up with a "broken heart".
The Reverend Alastair Duncan will lead the service at the nearby St George's Tron.