Mum survived Glasgow lorry tragedy that killed her parents and daughter because she stopped at cashpoint; Erin McQuade, 18, and grandparents Jack Sweeney, 68, and Lorraine Sweeney, 69, were three of the victims killed in the tragedy.
Byline: Dan Kay
By Sally Hind and Stephen Stewart
A horrified mum survived the runaway Glasgow bin lorry that killed her parents and daughter because she had stopped to use a cash machine
Teenager Erin McQuade, 18, and her A-grandparents Jack Sweeney, 68, and Lorraine Sweeney, 69, were three of the victims killed in the tragedy.
Erin's mum Jacqueline, 43, was yards away when the out-of-control wagon crashed into her family in Glasgow city centre on Monday at around 2.30pm.
She heard screams and a loud bang and ran over to find them dead.
Erin's dad Matthew and two younger brothers Liam, 15, and Aidan, 14, also escaped as they were browsing in another shop nearby when the lorry ploughed through the crowds, killing six and injuring 10.
Glasgow bin lorry crash: Three family members died
A family friend said: "Erin's mum was at the hole-in-the-wall getting money when she heard an almighty bang and ran over to see what had happened.
"It was then that she found out that her daughter and parents were killed by the lorry.
"No one can imagine what she and her family are going through.
"It's too horrific to contemplate. The fact that she went to the bank will have saved her life but she will be so distraught she will be asking herself if her life was worth saving.
"The family is very close-knit and it is hard for them even to conceive what has happened. It is truly unbelievable.
"The whole family were out shopping. It went from being a happy family day out to an unspeakable tragedy."
Erin, who also has a little sister, Niamh, six, was a student at Glasgow University.
Professor Anton Muscatelli, principal and vice chancellor of the university where she studied English literature, said: "The university is deeply saddened to hear that one of our students has been tragically killed in this terrible incident.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Erin's family."
Glasgow bin lorry crash: Eyewitness account of aftermath
Erin also worked part-time at the luxury Cameron House Hotel on the banks of Loch Lomond.
The hotel said in a statement: "We are saddened to hear we have lost one of our brightest and dedicated members of housekeeping staff.
"We want to offer our deepest A-condolences and sympathies to the family of Erin and to all those who have been affected by the tragic events at George Square."
Erin and her grandparents were from Dumbarton, near Glasgow.
It is believed the Sweeneys had previously lived in Ontario, Canada, where Jack was president of a...
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