Helicopter victims laid to rest

Gary Arthur, one of the nine victims of the Glasgow helicopter accident, is to be laid to rest
9 December 2013

Two funerals for victims of the Glasgow helicopter crash are due to take place today.

Mark O'Prey and Gary Arthur were enjoying a night out in Clutha bar when a police helicopter crashed through on Friday November 29. They were among nine people who died.

The service for Mr O'Prey, 44, is to be held in his home town of East Kilbride, while Mr Arthur, 48, will be remembered in Paisley.

Last week, the family of Mr O'Prey described him as a ''loveable giant'' and they believe he died while trying to help others escape the pub.

The 44-year-old was in the Clutha to watch one of his favourite bands, Esperanza.

His sister Louise said: ''He's a fantastic brother, we loved him so, so much. He's an unbelievable character, one in a million.

''Mark was an adorable, lovable giant. He was always laughing and would do anything for anybody.''

Mr Arthur's daughter Chloe, who plays football for Celtic, took to Twitter to pay tribute to him

She tweeted: ''RIP dad. you'll always mean the world to me, I promise to do you proud, I love you with all my heart."

Mr Arthur was said to be a regular on the sidelines to watch his daughter play for the Celtic and Scotland women's under-19s football teams and a minute's silence was held before Celtic's match against Hearts last week as a mark of respect to all the victims.

A statement from Mr Arthur's family read: "We loved him dearly and always will, we will miss him so much.

"We will continue to make him proud; he always tried to do his best for us and to be there for us. He was the best dad and it's devastating that our dad has been taken from us in such a tragic way."

The first funeral for the nine people who died in the tragedy was held on Saturday for helicopter pilot captain David Traill.

Around 700 mourners gathered for the service and prayers were said for all of those who died in the crash.

Police Constables Kirsty Nelis, 36, and Tony Collins, 43, were on board the helicopter and the others who died inside the pub were Robert Jenkins, 61, Colin Gibson, 33, John McGarrigle, 57 and Samuel McGhee, 56.

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