Flowers, tributes, and flags at half-mast across city as those who died when vehicle careered into pedestrians are named

Three members of the same family were among the six people killed on Monday when an out-of-control council bin lorry ploughed through pedestrians in Glasgow city centre.

Jack Sweeney, 68, his wife, Lorraine, 69, and their 18-year-old granddaughter Erin McQuade, all from Dumbarton, were thought to have been Christmas shopping when they were struck by the heavy vehicle as it careered through George Square before crashing into the side of the Millennium hotel at around 2.30pm.

Stephenie Tait, 29, a primary school teacher, and Jacqueline Morton, 51, both from Glasgow, and Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh, were also named by police as having died in the accident, which happened as the area was teeming with last-minute Christmas shoppers and visitors to the ice rink and amusements in the square.

Lorraine Sweeney, Erin McQaude, Jack Sweeney - Victims of the Glasgow Crash on Dec 22 2014 Photograph: Instagram, Facebook

The blinds were drawn on Tuesday afternoon at the Sweeneys’ neat terraced house in Dumbarton, just off the main road to Glasgow, and their paved driveway lay empty. The couple were a familiar pair locally, although many neighbours said they knew their faces rather than their names. One woman said that she would stop at their gate when taking her red setter for a walk because they liked to pat him. She said she was shocked when another neighbour told her that the Sweeneys had been the first of the crash victims named this morning.

The Sweeneys had links with Canada, where Mr Sweeney was once president of Bramalea Celtic supporters’ club in Ontario. A statement on the club’s Facebook page said: “It is with great shock and sadness we share with you our friend and past president Jack Sweeney, his wife Lorraine and granddaughter Erin were victims of today’s tragedy in Glasgow.”

Erin had just begun studying English literature at Glasgow University, and had recently liked its freshers’ week page on Facebook.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Stephenie Tait, one of the six people killed when a bin lorry lost control, hitting Christmas shoppers in Glasgow. Photograph: Police Scotland/PA

The vice-chancellor, Prof Anton Muscatelli, said: “The university is deeply saddened to hear that one of our students has been tragically killed in this terrible incident.”

In her free time, Erin worked at the Cameron House resort, by Loch Lomond. General manager Allan Reich remembered her as a “bright and dedicated” member of the housekeeping staff.

It is believed Erin’s mother saw her daughter and parents die in the accident. A family friend wrote on Twitter: “Really sad. Partner of a friend of mine lost 3 of her family in the Glasgow RTC. She witnessed her parents and her daughter killed.”

Tait taught at St Philomena’s primary school in Royston. Flowers were laid at the school gates. Headteacher Catherine Gallagher said she had made “a wonderful contribution” to school life. “The entire school community is deeply saddened by this tragic news. Stephenie was an excellent young teacher, dedicated to the children.”

Former pupils said she was a popular teacher. Marcia Mackay tweeted: “RIP miss tait was such a great teacher when I had her in primary rest in peace condolences to her family and friends”.

Ten people were injured as the bin lorry mounted the pavement at speed, scattering pedestrians “like pinballs”, according to witnesses. Four are still being treated at Glasgow Royal infirmary, and one is in a critical condition. The driver, who was described by some at the scene as appearing to be slumped at the wheel, was also taken to hospital on Monday but his condition is still not known, nor is that of the two other crew members who Glasgow council confirmed were also in the lorry at the time of the crash.

A metal police cordon remained in place morning, shielding the scene of the crash from onlookers, while the police continued their investigation of the 300-metre-long scene before reopening the square to the public in the afternoon. A fleet of private ambulances carrying the dead left the area early in the morning.

Flags on public buildings in Glasgow flew at half-mast throughout the day, and George Square’s Christmas lights remained switched off, though they will be restored for Christmas Eve.

A growing bank of floral tributes has been moved by police to the area outside the Gallery of Modern Art in Royal Exchange Square. Jade Russell, 22, a shop worker, laid purple carnations at the scene. “I wanted to pay my respects. It’s a dreadful thing to happen at any time of year but just unbelievable so close to Christmas. The thing about this city is that it really does pull together.”

The crash is the second serious accident to hit Scotland’s largest city in little over a year. In November 2013, 10 people died when a police helicopter crashed into the Clutha Vaults pub on the north bank of the river Clyde, not far from Monday’s incident.

First minister Nicola Sturgeon visited the scene just after 11am on Tuesday, before attending a service in memory of the victims at St George’s Tron church. She said that 2014 “has been an incredible year for this city, but a year bookended by two unimaginable tragedies”.

She added: “This city will pull together to support those affected not just in the days ahead but in the weeks and months to come. Glasgow is a city that I am deeply proud to call my home.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Gillian Ewing, one of the six people killed when a bin lorry lost control, hitting Christmas shoppers in Glasgow. Photograph: Police Scotland/PA

Jim Murphy, newly elected leader of the Scottish Labour party, described the event as “another dark day for the city” as he arrived for the service.

The Rev Stuart Smith, moderator of Glasgow Presbytery, told the congregation at the service: “Side by side, arm in arm, this is a city united in grief. The celebration of Christmas will be different for everybody this year as we reflect on what it means for others with empty places at the table.”

The archbishop of Glasgow, Philip Tartaglia, will lead a mass at St Andrew’s cathedral at 1pm today for those affected by the tragedy and a fund for the victims’ families will open for public donations.

Members of the emergency services comforted one another outside the church, the toll of the past 24 hours visible.

Eleanor Stewart, 27, who attended the service, said: “I’m not particularly religious, but I was moved. It brings people together, and there’s somewhere to go. When you see things online you can feel quite distant, so it’s just nice to be with other people.”

Celtic FC chief executive Peter Lawwell said: “We would like to send our deepest condolences to everyone affected by yesterday’s tragedy. The events in George Square are so difficult to comprehend and their effects will be devastating for so many.

“We are now aware that Jack Sweeney, his wife Lorraine and their granddaughter Erin McQuade were among those who have lost their lives. We know also of Jack’s strong connection to Celtic, as someone who gave so much to the club.

“I am sure I speak for everyone connected to the club when I say that our sincere thoughts and prayers are with them all, with their relatives and with every other victim of this tragic incident.”