Glasgow Helicopter Crash: Pilot's Funeral

By David Blevins, Sky News Correspondent

The funeral will take place later of the pilot killed when his helicopter crashed onto a Glasgow bar last weekend.

Former RAF colleagues of David Traill are expected to stage a Chinook fly-past following a memorial service at Glasgow University.

Flight Lieutenant Traill, from Stenhousemuir, was a decorated war veteran, having served in both Afghanistan and Iraq, but had flown for a private company since his retirement from the RAF.

The 51-year-old had played an active role in the lives of his three young nephews since they lost their father - his younger brother Angus - to throat cancer three years ago.

He didn't have time to make a mayday call before the aircraft crashed onto the Clutha bar, killing him and two police passengers: Kristy Nelis, 36, and Tony Collins, 43.

The helicopter crashed on the Clutha bar a week ago

Six other people, attending a live music event inside the pub, also died: Robert Jenkins, 61, Mark O'Prey, 44, Colin Gibson, 33, John McGarrigle, 57, Gary Arthur, 48, and Samuel McGhee, 56.

Around 100 people were inside the building when the Eurocopter dropped out of the sky "like a stone" last Friday night and 10 of the 32 injured remain in hospital.

There was no black box data recorder on the helicopter but air accident investigators are examining the wreckage in Farnborough, Hampshire, and are expected to publish their initial findings next week.

Bond Air Services described their popular colleague as "the epitome of the consummate professional" and "a legend" whose passing would be mourned with "a sense of intense loss and sorrow".

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Weather: Tidal Surge Clean Up Under Way

By Emma Birchley, East Of England Correspondent

The task of cleaning and repairing flood-damaged homes is under way after a tidal surge so powerful it swept some houses into the waves.

The swollen sea flooded 1,400 properties across the country overnight on Thursday in coastal communities stretching from North Wales to Essex.

It was the most serious tidal surge to hit Britain for more than 60 years, and the Environment Agency said high tides on Saturday could cause more flooding in areas already inundated with water.

But the number of flood warnings and alerts has been reduced with fewer than 50 now in place, and no severe flood warnings, which are issued when flooding poses a "significant threat to life".

Susan Telford and Paul Citrine are still struggling to get through to their insurers after their home in Rhyl, north Wales, was left coated in mud once the waters receded.

Ms Telford said: "It's just a waiting game now, I suppose, and a long clean up...but we're lucky. We've got our health and we've got each other and material things can be replaced."

Flooding in Rhyl, north Wales

At Hemsby in Norfolk some homes are gone for good. The sheer power of the sea swept three over the sandy cliff and others were left teetering precariously.

Pub landlord Jonathan Thompson rallied his regulars to help save one family's belongings after he saw the cliff beginning to give way.

"It's heartbreaking to watch someone's entire life being swept into the sea never to be seen again," he said.

The Environment Agency says 800,000 properties were protected thanks to both permanent and temporary flood defences.

They helped prevent a disaster on the scale seen in 1953, when hundreds were killed.

But some barriers were breached as the tidal surge combined with high tides and strong winds.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said two women, two young babies in pushchairs and a dog had been rescued after being hit by a large wave at Louisa Bay in Broadstairs, Kent.

Thousands of homes in coastal areas were evacuated after officials warned that lives could be at risk.

Hundreds of people were forced to spend the night camped out in emergency rest centres.

The North Sea surge followed an Atlantic storm which brought severe gales of up to 80mph across Scotland and northern parts of England.

People watch rising waters in the River Stour in Sandwich, Kent

Some mountainous regions in Aberdeenshire and Inverness-shire reported speeds of around 140mph.

One man died after he was struck by a falling tree in a park in Retford in Nottinghamshire, while a lorry driver was killed when his HGV toppled onto a number of cars in West Lothian.

The adverse weather also caused chaos on the transport network, with rail services for Scotland and parts of the North of England suspended and number of flights disrupted.

:: Watch the latest live coverage from around the country on Sky 501, Virgin Media 602, Freesat 202, Freeview 82, Skynews.com and Sky News for iPad.

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Woolwich Killing: 'He Was First Soldier We Saw'

A man accused of killing Fusilier Lee Rigby told police he was targeted because "he was the soldier that we spotted first", a court has heard.

In a police interview played to jurors at the Old Bailey, Michael Adebolajo said the 25-year-old soldier was a "fair target" because people joined the Army understanding their lives would be at risk.

He told officers that Fusilier Rigby was "like the non-Muslim version of myself" and said the alleged murder was not a "personal vendetta".

Adebolajo kept his head covered with a blanket for much of the interview

During his statement, Adebolajo told police he felt he was "not in control of myself" when he hit the soldier with his car close to Woolwich barracks in southeast London on May 22.

He said he was "not sure how I struck the first blow", but added: "The most humane way to kill any creature is to cut the jugular."

Some of Fusilier Rigby's family shook their heads as the interview continued, with Adebolajo telling officers: "Why make it prolonged? He may be my enemy. But he is alive. So I struck at the neck and attempted to remove his head to be sure, you know."

Adebolajo and co-defendant Michael Adebowale were seen on CCTV

The court heard how Adebolajo, who at one stage asked counter-terrorism detectives if he could speak to Fusilier Rigby's family, "did not expect to live beyond that day".

"I did not expect to be alive to go to prison, or whatever," he told police, 10 days after the attack.

Jurors also heard him talk about his political beliefs, describing Conservative and Labour politicians as "filthy pigs" but saying he "admired" Ukip leader Nigel Farage.

During police interviews, Abebolajo also said there was a "war between the Muslims and the British people" and he was a "soldier of Allah".

The court also heard that extremist material belonging to Adebolajo was found when they searched his father's house, including a book called Extreme Islam and a book with a chapter entitled "The virtues of killing a non-believer for the sake of Allah".

Works by Anwar al-Awlaki, who was described to the jury as a Muslim scholar who was arrested in the Yemen, were among the material, and a copy of the magazine Inspire, which the court heard is reportedly published by al Qaeda.

Adebolajo, 28, and his co-defendant Michael Adebowale, 22, deny murdering Fusilier Rigby, attempting to murder a police officer and conspiracy to murder.

The trial continues.

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Weather: Thousands Evacuated Amid Tidal Surge

Thousands of homes are thought to have been flooded as Britain is hit by its most serious tidal surge for more than 60 years.

In some places along the east coast, sea levels have been higher than they were during the devastating floods of 1953.

It comes after a powerful Atlantic storm, packing winds of up to 140mph, claimed two lives and caused widespread disruption.

The Environment Agency has more than 129 flood warnings and alerts in place across England and Wales, including 23 severe flood warnings which are only issued when flooding poses a "significant threat to life".

 :: Watch Sky News HD for all the latest on the disruption

Water breaches the sea wall on Great Yarmouth's promenade

As the North Sea surge moves south, communities are braced for yet more flooding, as further high tides bring a renewed risk.

The tide is expected to peak in Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex between 8am and midday, and in Kent from between midday and 3pm.

Last night, Humberside Police said a search and rescue operation had been launched for three people who may have fallen into the River Humber close to Flixborough.

Describing the storm as a "critical incident", the force warned "the worst is not over yet", with further disruption expected with the morning tide.

An Environment Agency map showing the worst-affected areas

It also appealed to the public not to ignore flood warnings, saying some people had been risking their lives by running into the tide.

One man died after he was struck by a falling tree in a park in Retford in Nottinghamshire, and a lorry driver was killed when his HGV toppled onto a number of cars in West Lothian.

Across the country, more than 100,000 properties have been hit by power cuts.

The Port of Dover has been closed because of adverse weather conditions and the loss of some electrical power.

Thousands of homes in coastal areas in East Anglia, the Midlands and Kent have been evacuated after officials warned that the lives of people in the regions could be at risk.

In Norfolk alone, 9,000 homes have been evacuated, mainly in the Great Yarmouth area, as officials attempt to stem the damage from the coastal surge.

At Blakeney in north Norfolk, the water breached the quay at about 5.30pm on Thursday.

Within 30 minutes, the floods had advanced some 165ft (50m) up the village's main street. Water reached window height and at least one car was seen being swept away.

People fill sandbags as high tide approaches in Great Yarmouth

Allan Urquhart, who lives on the seafront, took a rowing boat to the King's Arms pub to collect a friend.

He said: "I'm going to row back to the house and we'll stay upstairs tonight. We've put sandbags in place so hopefully we'll be OK. I'm as confident as I can be.

"This is the worst flooding I've seen so it could be a difficult night for lots of people."

An Environment Agency spokesman said that in some areas sea levels could be higher than those during the devastating floods of 1953, which battered the east coast of England and claimed the lives of hundreds of people.

The seafront in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, is breached

Defences built since then, including the Thames and Hull Barriers, mean that many parts of the country are much better protected, he said.

However, some coastal flood defences could be "overtopped" by the combined effect of high tides, high winds and a large tidal surge, he added.

The Met Office said the Atlantic storm brought severe gales of between 60mph and 80mph across Scotland and northern parts of England, and some mountainous regions in Aberdeenshire and Inverness-shire reported speeds of around 140mph.

The adverse weather has also caused chaos on the transport network, with rail services for Scotland and parts of the North of England suspended. A number of flights have also been disrupted.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson, who has chaired two Cobra meetings, said: "It is really important that people take steps to prepare for flooding, which is likely to occur overnight.

"Clearly our priority is public safety and I urge people to act on the advice from the environment agency, police and local agencies."

Lifeboats rescue people in Rhyl, north Wales

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Cancer Survival Rates Are 'Truly Depressing'

By Thomas Moore, Health and Science Correspondent

Cancer patients in Britain and Ireland are far less likely to survive the disease than people in most other European countries, according to new research.

Results from the biggest cancer study of its kind show that Britain and Ireland have below average survival rates for nine out of 10 common cancers.

The prospects for women with ovarian cancer were particularly bleak, with five-year survival rates lower even than those in relatively poor countries in Eastern Europe.

One cancer charity called the results "depressing" and the NHS has conceded there is much more work to do.

The Eurocare-5 study tracked the outcomes of more than nine million adults and children in 29 countries, who were diagnosed with cancer between 2000 and 2007

The prospects for women with ovarian cancer are particularly bleak

Results published in The Lancet medical journal show that across Europe cancer survival is improving, but there are still big variations.

Women with ovarian cancer have a 31% chance of surviving another five years if they live in Britain or Ireland. In Sweden the figure is 44.1%. And even in Bulgaria 33.4% of women survive five years.

Survival for lung and stomach cancers are also markedly worse in Britain and Ireland.

Just 9% of patients with lung cancer survive five years, with only Bulgarian patients faring worse.

And 17.2% of patients with stomach cancer survive five years, far fewer than the European average of 25.1%.

Only patients with skin melanoma in Britain and Ireland do better than average, with 85.6% still alive five years after diagnosis.

The researchers blamed delayed diagnosis, underuse of potentially successful treatments and "poor or unequal access" to treatment for the poor survival in Britain and Ireland.

Survival for lung and stomach cancers are also markedly worse

Ciaran Devane, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "This is truly depressing. 

"One in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime so this is a big deal and has to be a wake-up call for the NHS.

"There is no reason why the UK should lag behind the rest of Europe when it comes to either certain cancers or survival rates for older cancer patients."

Public Health England has started a Be Clear On Cancer campaign, to raise public awareness of the early signs and symptoms of the disease.

Di Riley, the head of PHE's National Cancer Intelligence Network, said the elderly, in particular, need to be encouraged to go to their GP if they notice suspicious symptoms.

"The recently introduced bowel cancer screening programme should also improve survival from colon cancer, and reduce the number of emergency presentations of elderly people with bowel cancer, particularly as we are now screening people to their mid-70s.

"PHE is also doing a trial of extending breast screening for women in their 70s which should go some way to addressing the poorer survival of older women with breast cancer."

Sean Duffy, national clinical director for cancer at NHS England, said: "Our one-year survival figures show that for (lung and melanoma skin cancers) we are now approaching the outcomes of other countries where survival has historically been significantly better than in England.

"However, we want the best outcomes for all cancer patients and we know that we need to build on the improvements that have been made and do much more."

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Autumn Statement: Longer Wait For Pensions

By Sophy Ridge, Political Correspondent

People will have to work until they are 68 years old before receiving a state pension from the mid 2030s, in a move that will raise around £400bn for the Treasury.

Chancellor George Osborne will also announce the age will rise to 69 in the 2040s in his Autumn Statement.

The changes will affect people currently aged 49 or younger.

A Government source said: "This is part of the Government's long-term plan to secure a responsible recovery.

"It is a difficult decision to make sure there is a fair deal across future generations and that the country can live within its means.

"It will help make sure the country can offer people decent pensions in their old age in a way that with increasing life expectancy the country can also afford."

Currently the state pension age is due to rise to 68 from 2046 and to 69 in the late 2040s.

The news - released by the Treasury ahead of the Autumn Statement - is intended to show the Government is determined to keep making tough decisions to drive down the deficit despite improving economic figures.

Most government departments also face a 1% cut in their budgets for the next three years, which will save £1bn a year.

Health, schools, international aid, local government, HMRC and the security services will be exempt because their budgets are protected.

In an interview with Sky News, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "The truth is you're not really delivering a higher level of standards and actions on the cost of living unless you secure a long-term growth and success of the British economy.

"From that everything else will follow.

"But should we at the same time try to help families with their budgets? Yes of course we should."

The Autumn Statement's good news is likely to be focused around the cost of living, to counter Ed Miliband's pledge to freeze energy bills for 20 months.

Labour argues most people are not benefiting from the improving economy because of rising prices and stagnating wages.

The Chancellor will also announce a £50 cut in the average energy bill and free school meals for every child under seven years old.

Firms will see a business rates capped at 2%, while the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander has confirmed £375bn of planned public and private investment in infrastructure.

For the first time since becoming Chancellor, Mr Osborne is expected to announce more positive economic figures to show growth is returning.

:: Watch live coverage of the Autumn Statement throughout Thursday on Sky News on Sky 501, Virgin Media 602, Freesat 202, Freeview 82, Skynews.com and Sky News for iPad.

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Helicopter Crash: Relatives Face Anxious Wait

Families and friends are waiting to hear news about loved ones after the helicopter crash in Glasgow where eight people died.

A "very sensitive and complex" police rescue operation to find potential survivors is taking place at the Clutha pub - where the aircraft came through the roof.

Officers have described it as a "complicated and dangerous" environment.

One worried relative at the scene of the crash, Alice Healy, told Sky News she had not heard from her cousin who had been inside the pub when the helicopter hit.

Another, John McGarrigle, 38, said that he had been told by someone inside the pub that his 59-year-old father, also called John, had been sitting at precisely the spot the aircraft had come down and that he had been killed, but that authorities had not been able to confirm this.

John McGarrigle says he is sure his father has been killed in the crash

Three crew members - two police officers and a civilian pilot - died in the aircraft and five other people lost their lives inside the pub.

Flags across Scotland are flying at half-mast following the tragedy as the Queen says her "thought and prayers" are with those affected.

First Minister Alex Salmond - who called the crash a "black day for Glasgow and for Scotland" - ordered Scottish saltire and lion rampant flags outside Scottish Government and historic buildings to fly at half-mast.

St Andrew's Day events in the city were also scrapped and a minute's silence has been held at many football grounds.

The helicopter brought down the roof of the pub

With 14 people still seriously injured in hospital, players and fans at Scottish Cup fourth-round matches showed their solidarity and fell silent before kick-off.

Glasgow Rangers and Falkirk players wore black armbands during their game.

A statement from Rangers said: "Everyone at Rangers Football Club is shocked and saddened by the tragic helicopter crash at the city's Clutha Vaults bar on Friday night.

"Our thoughts are with all those affected by this dreadful incident."

The city's other famous football club, Celtic, also tweeted that their "thoughts & prayers (are) with those affected by this terrible accident".

Flowers are being left at the scene of the crash in central Glasgow

A special service was held at St Andrew's Cathedral on Saturday afternoon.

"We pray for our city of Glasgow," said Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, who led prayers for victims and rescuers.

Special prayers will also be said and candles lit for the victims at a service at 11am at Glasgow Cathedral today.

St Andrew's Day celebrations, due to be held in George Square, were cancelled following the tragedy, while the Scottish Trades Union Congress called off its anti-racism march in the city.

An emotional Gordon Matheson, the leader of the city council, told a press conference: "This is heartbreaking news from the very centre of Glasgow.

Rangers and Falkirk were two of the teams to remember the victims

"The people of Glasgow are praying for and doing everything they can to support the families and those most directly affected by this tragedy."

Political leaders have also expressed their solidarity with those involved.

In a statement, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "This is a tragic event and our deepest sympathies are with the families and friends who lost a loved one last night.

"I want to thank the emergency services who worked tirelessly throughout the night and I also want to pay tribute to the bravery of the ordinary Glaswegians who rushed to help."

The Archbishop of Glasgow held a special service at St Andrew's Cathedral

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond and Labour leader Ed Miliband also paid tribute to local people.

Mr Salmond said: "All of us have seen over the last few hours, the speed and effectiveness of the mobilisation of the emergency services in dealing with this tragedy.

"We've also heard of the instinctive courage of ordinary Glaswegians going to assist their fellow citizens in extremity.

"This is a black day for Glasgow and for Scotland. Our condolences go to those who will be bereaved, our solidarity with those who have been injured."

Members of the public concerned about relatives who may have been involved in the crash can call an emergency helpline on 0800 092 0410.

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Glasgow Helicopter Crash: Two Victims Named

Two of the eight victims who were killed in the police helicopter crash in central Glasgow have been named.

Gary Arthur, 48, from Paisley, was drinking in The Clutha pub in Stockwell Street at the time of the accident.

David Traill, thought to be in his fifties, is understood to have been the civilian pilot at the controls of the police helicopter, which also had two officers on board.

David Traill is believed to have been the civilian police helicopter pilot

Steve Lloyd, the manager of the Police Roll of Honour Trust, which remembers officers who lose their lives in the line of duty, said: "The impact of this accident will be felt by all the extended police family and will yet again prove the dangers faced by the police in the service of our community."

The Clutha had been packed with more than 100 people watching a ska band when the accident happened at 10.25pm on Friday.

Mr Arthur's 18-year-old daughter, Chloe, plays forward for Celtic Women's first-team.

She tweeted her thanks to everyone for their kind thoughts and pledged that she would make her much-loved father proud.

Emergency services at the scene of the crash

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

"Thanks to everyone who has tweeted me, text me etc, means so much, I have the most amazing friends ever."

Mr Arthur was a regular on the sidelines watching his daughter play at matches, according to Celtic women's manager David Haley.

"This is devastating for Chloe and her family," he said.

"It is a tragedy that Chloe's father was one of eight innocent victims in this terrible accident - he was regularly seen at Celtic matches, watching his daughter."

A nine-piece local ska band were on stage when the aircraft hit the roof

Some 14 people remain seriously injured in three Glasgow hospitals.

A total of 32 were admitted and 18 of them have been discharged. The wounded suffered mostly chest, spinal and head injuries as well as fractures and lacerations.

Police said: "Extensive efforts continue to recover the remaining bodies from the scene, but due to ongoing safety constraints this is likely to take some time."

Emergency services including police officers, firefighters and search and rescue teams with dogs remain at the site on the banks of the River Clyde.

An EC135 T2 like the one that crashed

They are thought to have been working through the night to recover the remaining bodies from the scene and stabilise the building, which has been deemed unsafe following the crash.

The mangled wreckage of the aircraft remains embedded in the middle of the pub.

It is not known how many people are still inside the building.

Sir Stephen House, the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, said rescuers were working in a "complicated and dangerous" environment and the rescue operation would go on for many days yet.

The cause of the crash is being investigated by the police and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

A police officer lays flowers at the crash scene

Witnesses said the helicopter came down "like a stone" from the sky at "a great speed", while some suggested that there was a problem with the aircraft's rotor.

Grace MacLean, who was inside the pub at the time, told Sky News: "There was a band on, they were quite loud, and we just kinda heard a whoosh and some smoke.

"We looked around and no-one really knew what was going on. Everyone just carried on listening to the band. And then we kind of looked again and the roof was gradually coming down."

John McGarrigle, 38, said he had been told by someone inside the pub that his 59-year-old father, also called John, had been sitting at precisely the spot the aircraft had come down and that he had been killed but that authorities had not been able to confirm this.

Relatives console each other at the site

As families anxiously wait to hear news about their loved ones, special prayers will be said and candles lit for the victims at a service at Glasgow Cathedral.

A minute's silence will also be held before Celtic's Scottish Cup tie against Hearts at Tynecastle.

Senior public figures including the Queen, Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister Alex Salmond have expressed their condolences to those affected by the tragedy.

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