UPDATED WITH VIDEO: Emergency services are tonight in attendance at Wightlink’s Fishbourne terminal where the upper deck of one of the company’s vessels appears to have collapsed.
The upper car deck of the passenger and vehicle ferry St Helen has fallen one side leaving vehicles at an angle and has resulted in a multi-agency emergency response.
One appliance from Newport Fire Station is in attendance alongside paramedics and Police. HM Coastguard are also on scene.
It is currently unclear if any persons have been injured. Emergency crews were called shortly after 22:20.
UPDATE @ 22:58 – An ambulance crew have now arrived on the scene and spinal boards have been taken from a rapid response vehicle with the assistance of firefighters.
UPDATE @ 23:50 – Multiple casualties have been conveyed to hospital by land ambulance, however thankfully it has been confirmed there is no threat to life.
Two ambulance crews have attended the scene alongside a rapid response paramedic and a Bronze Commander.
Visitors to the Beacon Health Centre were advised earlier to return to the hospital tomorrow if at all possible due to the expected influx of patients from this ‘major incident’.
Vehicles stuck on the collapsed car deck have been reversed off, some driven by Police officers.
UPDATE @ 00:30 – In total four persons have been taken to hospital for treatment following tonight’s incident, however none are said to be in a life-threatening condition. Two are believed to be suffering from suspected spinal injuries whilst another two have suffered head injuries.
A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has told Island Echo that following the approval from the MCGA Duty Surveyor and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, St Helen has been permitted to sail to Portsmouth where an inspection will take place.
Wightlink have confirmed that an investigation will be carried out and the ship’s captain and crew will be interviewed to establish the full facts of the incident. A statement is expected from the cross-Solent company tomorrow.
A statement from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service has been released. A spokesperson has said:
“At 22:22 on Friday 18th July 2014 Isle of Wight Ambulance Service were alerted to an incident at Wightlink’s Fishbourne terminal.
A paramedic in a rapid response car and a ‘Bronze’ command officer in another car were despatched to the scene immediately. The Ambulance Service designated it as a significant incident and subsequently deployed two emergency ambulances to the scene as part of a multi agency response to the incident.
Four patients were conveyed from the scene to St. Mary’s Hospital. However non have life threatening injuries”.
Passengers on board the sister vessel St Clare, who have been waiting to dock for over 90 minutes, have now successfully docked and disembarked at Fishbourne.
UPDATE @ 07:30 – Wightlink have this morning issued a statement regarding last night’s incident on board St Helen, a 30-year-old vessel.
A spokeswoman has said:
“The St Helen car ferry, the 21:30 sailing from Portsmouth Gunwharf with 181 passengers and 11 crew on board, arrived at Fishbourne at 22:16.
“As part of the usual disembarkation process, after vehicles on the lower deck had left the ship, the starboard forward mezzanine deck with nine cars on board was lowered. When it was a short distance from the deck below, it dropped a few feet and made contact with the lower deck.
“One member of the crew and three passengers have been taken to St Mary’s Hospital by ambulance. The Isle of Wight ambulance service has confirmed none of the injuries are life-threatening. A member of Wightlink’s staff attended the hospital to aid and support customers.
“A full investigation into the incident is underway. The incident has been reported to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch and Wightlink is fully co-operating with the authorities.
“St Helen, in common with all Wightlink ferries, is inspected regularly by external surveyors. The last independent engineering survey of the ship, including its mezzanine decks, took place in May 2014 during her annual refit”.
UPDATE @ 09:50 – The Isle of Wight NHS Trust have confirmed that all four persons conveyed to hospital last night have since been discharged.
The Ambulance Service and Trust would like to thank the other emergency services and Wightlink for their support in dealing with this incident.
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