Worker watched billionaire's ship topple over injuring 33 people in 'scary' fall
A worker on the dock where 33 people were injured when a huge ship suddenly toppled over in high winds has described the experience as "so scary".
The Scottish Ambulance Service said 21 people were taken to hospital following the incident in Leith, Edinburgh, on Wednesday morning, while a further 12 were treated and discharged at the scene.
Pictures from Imperial Docks showed the boat tipped over at a 45-degree angle. A major incident was declared as police, ambulance, the fire service and coastguard responded a report that a ship had become dislodged from its holding.
The ambulance service sent 12 ambulances, an air ambulance, three trauma teams and other resources to the scene.
The Petrel, a 76m (250ft) research vessel, was previously bought and outfitted by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen before being sold by his estate in 2022.
Cherished girl, 3, who spent half her life in hospital dies before surgery
A witness who saw a huge ship tip over in Leith has described the incident as 'so scary' (PA)It is now understood to be owned by a branch of the US Navy.
James Walsh, 39, is a scaffolder on the docks and said he was working nearby when he heard a "loud noise".
The sight of the tipped boat caused Mr Walsh, a foreman, to temporarily halt all work while his team evaluated the situation, with him later being advised that "we were fine where we were."
But he revealed that one man he knew who worked on the Petrel had just left the boat to go to the toilet when he saw the disaster unfold - leaving him fearful for his colleagues onboard.
He said: "He had just put his tool bag down and thought 'I'm going to nip to the toilet', went away to the toilet, and he said he doesn't know where his workmates were."
"It's scary. Very scary. Just makes you evaluate everything really,"
James Walsh, 39, is a scaffolder on the docks and said he was working nearby when he heard a 'loud noise' (PA)"No-one goes to work to be involved in any kind of accident.
"It's so scary that you go to work and something like that can possibly happen. It's bad enough having a near accident, that's scary enough, or a minimal accident, but something like that in this day and age."
Colin Agnew, 33, who also works on the docks, said his workers were initially undisturbed by the loud noise before being alerted by the huge emergency response.
He said: "We just heard noise and we wondered what it was and then all of a sudden you were hearing all the police, fire engines, and the ambulance come in.
Faces of the children killed in horror dog attacks in UK since 2020
"It was crazy because you wouldn't think you would hear that down by here. It was just crazy."
Another dock worker said his colleagues didn't realise the severity of the incident before he saw the emergency response (PA)Port chaplain Pauline Robertson, from the Sailors' Society, described the incident as "just horrific" and added: "Those that witnessed it, it's so much to take in. It's surreal in so many ways and it's a lot to process."
Local councillor Adam McVey said the ship became dislodged in strong winds.
He tweeted: "Terrifying for those on board, my thoughts are with those who've been injured & hope everyone recovers quickly. Please avoid area."
A wind speed of 38mph was recorded in Edinburgh at 8am on Wednesday while a 44mph gust was recorded at 9am, according to Met Office data.
A total of 33 people were injured and 21 hospitalised when the Petrel became dislodged from its holding (PA)Police Scotland said all casualties were removed by 1.20pm and officers remain at the scene.
Superintendent Mark Rennie said: "There is no risk to the wider public and inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of what has happened. The Health and Safety Executive has been informed."
NHS Lothian earlier said it was "on standby to receive a number of patients" at the A&E department at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary from the scene and urged others not to attend unless in an emergency.
Mr Allen bought the ship to locate historically significant shipwrecks and it discovered around 30 sunken warships, including the Japanese Imperial Navy's IJN Musashi.
The Petrel has been moored at Leith since September 3, 2020 due to "operational challenges" from the pandemic, according to a statement on the vessel's social media page.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
