Six people killed in Glasgow bin-lorry crash named

Tributes have been paid to the victims of the Glasgow bin lorry disaster, including three members of the same family.

Grandparents 68-year-old Jack and 69-year-old Lorraine Sweeney and their granddaughter Erin McQuade, 18, were among those who lost their lives when the truck careered through George Square on Monday afternoon.

Gillian Ewing (52), from Edinburgh, Stephenie Tait (29), from Glasgow, and Jacqueline Morton (51), from Glasgow, were also killed.

It is believed Mr Sweeney had previously lived in Ontario, in east Canada, where he was president of a branch of the Celtic FC supporters’ club.

A statement on the Bramalea Celtic Club’s Facebook page reads: “It is with great shock and sadness we share with you our friend and past president Jack Sweeney, his wife Lorraine and granddaughter Erin were victims of today’s tragedy in Glasgow.

“Our thoughts and prayers go to the family and friends of the Sweeney family.”

Relative John Sweeney described himself as “feeling heartbroken” on Facebook.

He wrote: “No words can describe the pain. RIP Jack, Lorraine and Erin. Thoughts and prayers go out to the other families that lost loved ones as well.”

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell said: “We would like to send our deepest condolences to everyone affected by yesterday’s tragedy in Glasgow city centre.

“The events in George Square are so difficult to comprehend and their effects will be devastating for so many.

“We are now aware that one man, Jack Sweeney, his wife Lorraine and their granddaughter, Erin McQuade, were among those who have lost their lives. We know also of Jack’s strong connection to Celtic, as someone who gave so much to the club.

“I am sure I speak for everyone connected to the club when I say that our sincere thoughts and prayers are with them all, with their relatives and with every other victim of this tragic incident.”

Ms McQuade worked at the luxury Cameron House Hotel on the banks of Loch Lomond and was also a student at the University of Glasgow.

The hotel said in a statement: “We are saddened to hear we have lost one of our brightest and dedicated members of housekeeping staff, Erin McQuade.

“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.”

Prof Anton Muscatelli, principal and vice chancellor of the university, said: “The university is deeply saddened to hear that one of our students has been tragically killed in this terrible incident.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Erin McQuade’s family at this dreadfully sad time.”

Tributes have also been paid to Ms Tait, who was a teacher at St Philomena’s Primary School in Glasgow.

Headteacher Catherine Gallagher said: “The entire school community is deeply saddened by this tragic news. Stephenie was an excellent young teacher, dedicated to the children. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this time.

“We will be supporting colleagues in every way possible. Stephenie made a wonderful contribution to the life of St Philomena’s. She will be sadly missed by both pupils and staff.”

Former pupils posted messages of condolence on Twitter, describing her as a “fantastic” and “amazing” teacher who would be “sadly missed”.

PA