The ticket booth at Red Funnel’s Southampton terminal has collapsed after being struck by a lorry.
A cabin building used to collect tickets when customers check-in for their sailing has been completely flattened in the incident, which occurred at 12:59.
It’s known that the collapse was caused by a lorry making a right-hand turn, with the back end of the trailer swinging around and ripping out the side of the building.
It’s unclear at this stage if anyone has been injured as a result of the roof caving in on those inside. Part of the structure has also fallen on a Ford Fiesta.
Traffic is building as Red Funnel staff work out what to do next to keep the Southampton-East Cowes service in operation.
UPDATE @ 13:50 – Red Funnel has announced that it is now operating a shuttle service until further notice as a result of this afternoon’s emergency incident.
Customers are advised not to arrive any earlier than 30 mins before their original booked sailing time.
Hampshire Constabulary’s Roads Policing Unit is now on scene at Terminal 1, alongside a rapid response paramedic from South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS). It’s understood at least 2 people are being checked over by medics.
UPDATE @ 14:15 – It has been confirmed that 3 members of staff were inside the booth when it collapsed, but they have escaped any significant injury. Members of the public and colleagues rushed to their aid after hearing the impact and subsequent collapse.
An ambulance crew from SCAS have been mobilised to the scene and is expected to take at least 1 individual to Southampton General Hospital.
A spokesperson for Red Funnel has said:
“Following a traffic accident at Terminal 1 in Southampton this afternoon we are expecting delays and increased levels of traffic in the Town Quay area.
“Three Red Funnel colleagues were inside a check in kiosk which was struck by an HGV this afternoon. Our priority is the safety of our team members and passengers, and although there are no significant injuries, both Police and Ambulance services are in attendance as a precaution.
“The incident area has now been secured and we are currently operating a shuttle service to clear traffic as quickly as possible. We advise anyone travelling today to arrive no sooner than 30 minutes prior to departure and to check the service status on the Red Funnel website. Only passengers with a booking are advised to travel to the terminal.”
Hampshire Constabulary has confirmed that no arrests have been made.
DT Enterprises Logistics state that the trailer involved in the incident earlier today is not owned by the company. It was sold in April 2021 to MTS Trailers Limited on the basis that the livery would be removed before selling it on.
What a horrifying accident – so glad everyone isn’t badly hurt. Thoughts to all concerned including the lorry driver – he/she must be just as traumatised as those inside the booth 🙁
A shortage of lorry drivers and this happens, I would be surprised if this driver doesn’t call it a day.
These drivers are highly skilled yet they have to negotiate lots of very tight spaces, I would be a bag of nerves doing that job.
Hope all involved are ok…
Why was the artic being instructed to go right in such a tight turn so close to the check in office the driver would of lost mirror sight of the check in booth it’s a marshalling yard it needs marshalling staff in order to complete such a manoeuvre so close to the check in booth,ok for tugs to complete not the same for a tractor unit
Totally agree
How has this not happened before? Glad all are ok. Must have been very shocking.
I love how quickly people reacted to the situation that’s what matters most here
This incident follows Island Echo’s previous report of only Sept 3rd, of “FIRE IN OFFICE TACKLED AT RED FUNNEL’S SOUTHAMPTON FERRY TERMINAL 3rd September 2021″What’s going on there?!
What sort of ridiculous comment is that. ‘Treesa’ ???
A perfectly sensible one. When there’s a fire in Red Funnel’s office and an artic lorry destroys a ticket office at Red Funnel, both within 3 days, one has to ask “What is going on with Health and Safety at Red Funnel?” Get it now?
Nope, silly comment
Very lucky the was no serious injury’s as it could have been so much more serious? Hopefully lessons will be learned and changes will come into place?
I’ve walked past that little ticket office many times in the past. What a shame. I’m glad to hear the staff inside were okay afterwards, but must have been a terrible shock for them, hope it won’t affect them too much, but it’s bound to make them feel anxious being back in the job again once they rebuild the ticket office. Presumably they will rebuild it or put up a new one?