AYR man Colin Gibson died in the Clutha helicopter disaster because he was “in the wrong place at the wrong time”, according to his family.

A statement was read out on their behalf at the beginning of the Clutha Fatal Accident Inquiry this morning, April 8.

The inquiry aims to find out the full circumstances around the Police Scotland helicopter crash that claimed 10 lives in Glasgow in November 2013, including 33-year-old Ayr resident Colin.

It commenced at 10am today with a minute’s silence to commemorate those who lost their lives in the tragedy. A statement from Colin’s family said: “He had never visited the Clutha bar before. Colin just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“He had many plans for the future and now we will never know.”

Colin was the youngest of 10 killed in the incident. He was out celebrating a friend’s birthday when the police helicopter came crashing through the pub’s roof.

The Crown Office has previously said there is insufficient evidence for criminal proceedings. A total of 57 Crown witnesses are expected to give evidence at the inquiry.

Police have taken more than 2,000 statements as part of preparations for the FAI, while the Crown has around 1,400 productions.

The inquiry is expected to involve around three months of evidence spread over six calendar months this year.