A PSYCHOLOGIST has urged witnesses of the George Square bin lorry tragedy to seek professional help to recover from the trauma.

 

Professor Patrick O'Donnell, professor of psychology at the University of Glasgow, warned that observers, including those who rushed to the aid of victims, were are at risk of suffering post traumatic stress disorder as well as bereaved families and the injured.

While the majority of people recover from witnessing a traumatic incident, for around third, he said, the effects can be long lasting if untreated.

Flashbacks, nightmares and feelings of anger and withdrawal are among the symptoms that may be experienced.

Professor O'Donnell said: "Events which can produce a traumatic response are those which combine horror, intense fear and loss or injury.

"Queen Street happened without any warning signal in a place normally safe.

"Obviously direct victims have the highest rates of post-traumatic stress disorder but observers too can also suffer psychologically.

"Most people recover from the trauma fairly quickly but for 30-35% the effects can if untreated be long lasting.

"Given the horrific nature of the accident, for many eye witnesses the experience will have been traumatic, and at least in a proportion will produce a post traumatic response.

"The injured clearly will be most affected and have a higher probability of post-traumatic stress reaction than observers.

"For those of us who did not experience direct loss the feelings will be sorrow and empathy.

"For those injured and bereaved the response is more deeply personal. Knowing that Glasgow mourns with them will have some small compensation."

The family of three of the victims of the tragedy paid tribute to the "truly overwhelming" support they received in a poignant statement.

Jack Sweeney, 68, his wife Lorraine, 69 and their 18-year-old granddaughter Erin McQuade were among six people killed in the George Square disaster just days before Christmas .

Ten people, including the 57-year-old lorry driver, were injured.

Only Marie Wetherall, 64, remains in hospital. She is in a stable condition at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

Police are still investigating what caused the driver to lose control and plough into shoppers in the city centre three days before Christmas.

A full report into the incident will be submitted to the Crown Office by the end of the month.