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Fuel problem eyed in fatal Scottish helicopter pub crash

A faulty fuel supply may have doomed a police helicopter that smashed into a Scottish pub, killing at least eight people and injuring 32 others, investigators said.

More than 100 people had packed into Clutha Vaults pub in Glasgow to listen to the ska band Esperanza when the helicopter suddenly crashed through the roof.

The confirmed death toll includes five pubgoers, two police officers aboard the helicopter and its civilian pilot, identified as David Traill, authorities said. About 32 people, about half of whom have serious injuries, are being treated at area hospitals, officials said Saturday.

“This is a black day for Glasgow and Scotland,” said First Minister Alex Salmond.

Traill, 51, was a former Royal Air Force flight lieutenant who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and both Gulf wars, the Times of London reported.

Investigators are focusing their probe on mechanical issues that could have caused a fuel-supply failure to the chopper’s twin engines.

“It is almost unheard of for one engine to fail in this day and age, let alone two,” a police helicopter pilot said.

“We are dealing with a very sensitive investigation and operation here,” Chief Constable Stephen House said. “It will go on for many days yet.”