Comedian and writer Janey Godley was in Glasgow city centre doing her Christmas shopping like thousands of others when she witnessed the aftermath of the bin lorry crash.

The 53-year-old said she felt "horrific" for the families of those caught up in the accident but praised the emergency services and the people of Glasgow.

Describing the scene at George Square, she said: "At the side of the pavement the traffic poles were absolutely flattened so I knew that a vehicle had mounted the pavement.

"There were people on the ground being worked on by the emergency services.

"There was a lot of debris and Christmas shopping scattered all around so it was quite a distressing sight for everyone.

"As soon as I walked onto the scene I spoke to a shopkeeper who said a bin lorry had mounted the pavement and crushed a taxi so I knew immediately it was a road accident."

She added: "It's such a horrific, dense corner for that to happen.

"In the background you had the (carnival) swing still going in George Square. It was a very surreal image.

"People were on the road and their families will be distressed to know they were lying on the street but the emergency services were doing an amazing job."

Ms Godley said: "This was the only day I could get out shopping and I don't need my Christmas shopping now.

"I genuinely have no interest in it, I don't want to go Christmas shopping, but I am filled with the amazing spirit of the people of Glasgow.

"When the police said everybody move, everybody moved.

"What was touching was people went down the traffic and were telling all the buses and taxis, explaining that there had been an accident.

"So Glasgow people rallied round immediately and that reinforced my love for my own city yet again. That's who we are."

Referring to last November's fatal helicopter crash at the Clutha bar, Ms Godley said: "My city has had another drama but my city will come through it.

"My thoughts and respects are with the families tonight and big up to the emergency services who were there on the ground immediately.

"It made me feel absolutely horrific and sad but still amazed that we as Glaswegians were there."