AN emotional Chief Constable Sir Steve House paid tribute to the pilot and crew of the police helicopter.

Captain David Traill, 51, was a pilot for Bond Air Services - the largest operators of air ambulance and police aviation units in the UK - and "was very much part of the Police Scotland team," according to Mr House.

Father-of-three Constable Tony Collins, 43, and Constable Kirsty Nelis, 36, who were also killed in the crash, were members of Police Scotland's Operational Support Division.

Their names were confirmed by Mr House during a press conference at Helen Street Police Station yesterday afternoon.

He paid tribute to the pilot and police officers for the "important contribution" they had made to the communities they served.

Once again, he also thanked the emergency workers who were continuing to work at the scene on a "complex and difficult operation."

He said the priority of the operation now, was to recover and formally identify the remaining deceased to allow families to be told as soon as possible.

Mr House said: "It is with great sadness that I can also confirm that the crew of the helicopter involved in the incident have all died.

"They were Constable Tony Collins, Constable Kirsty Nelis and the pilot was Captain Dave Traill.

"Kirsty and Tony were members of Police Scotland's Operational Support Division.

"Captain Traill worked for Bond Air Services and was very much part of the Police Scotland team.

"I would like to pay tribute to all three and recognise the important contribution they made to our public service and to the communities they have served."

"Since the tragic incident on Friday night it has been an extremely difficult time for all those affected.

"Our thoughts and condolences remain with the families and friends of the people who have died.

"I would like to repeat my thanks to all the emergency services and partners who continue to work at the scene in what is a complex and difficult operation.

"I would also like to thank the many people who have expressed their sympathies and support for us. Everyone has taken great comfort from these words at such a difficult time."

PC Nelis received a bravery award in 2003 when she overpowered a man armed with a hammer while she was trapped in a lift with him in Greenock.

Her brother-in-law, fire commander Paul Nelis, was said to have learned of her death while working at the crash site.

Calum Steele, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, said his members are mourning their lost colleagues.

He said: "Whilst the families of Tony Collins and Kirsty Nelis will mourn them the most, the entire police family is also grieving.

"They worked in a very tight knit unit and will be missed dearly by their colleagues and friends in the police service of Scotland.

"The loss of these two officers leaves the service poorer for it.

"In addition, Scotland has lost two public servants who dedicated their lives in service to the lives of others.

"Our thoughts are with their families."

Jim Duffy, chairman of the Glasgow branch of the Retired Police Officers' Association for Scotland, was a serving officer 24 years ago when a police helicopter crashed at Eastwood Toll. Sergeant Malcolm Herd, 32, lost his life in that crash and pilot Graham Pryke, 47, was left fighting for survival at Glasgow's Southern General Hospital.

He said: "No words can make this any easier.

"It is a hard, hard time to get through. A lot of us were involved in the Eastwood Toll helicopter incident.

"From that we have some idea of what officers are going through now.

"Nobody expects this when you are going about your day job. They were doing a job that they loved. The families have our heartfelt sympathy. This leaves a terrible hole that there is no way to fill."

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk