I witnessed horror boat smash at Leith dock – the noise was terrifying, it was absolute chaos
HORRIFIED onlookers told yesterday of hearing a “loud crack and bang” before a US Navy research ship plummeted from its holdings in a dry dock.
Others described “panic” as mercy crews raced to rescue stricken workers on the 3,000-tonne RV Petrel after it was blown over in high winds.
It took specialist teams more than four hours to free one casualty amid the mayhem at Edinburgh’s Imperial Dock that left 33 injured and 21 needing hospital treatment.
The drama unfolded at 8.30am as the 250ft-long vessel lurched on to its side at a 45-degree angle.
One witness, who declined to be named, saw the start of the terrifying incident from nearby Ocean Terminal at Leith.
They said: “There was a loud cracking noise then a loud bang.
“It was clear that the structure holding the boat had failed due to the angle it ended up at.
“There were guys on board who were painting and welding at the time and there would have been a skeleton boat crew on it too.
“Lots of them have been hurt.
“Some have been lucky but others were on the boat for a few hours being treated.”
Two air ambulances and three trauma teams were among the emergency services scrambled to the dry dock.
In all, they took 15 patients to Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary, four to the city’s Western General Hospital and two to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.
Last night eight remained in hospital, some with serious injuries.
It’s understood one had to undergo surgery at the Royal Infirmary.
One casualty was trapped on the Petrel for around 4½ hours before being removed on a stretcher at around 1pm.
A further 12 people, who suffered minor injuries, were treated at the scene before being released by medics.
Scaffolder James Walsh, 39, was working nearby when he heard a “loud noise”.
He said: “We stopped what we were doing. I’m the foreman, so I evaluated the situation.
“We were on the docks further up and were advised that we were fine where we were.”
James told how he spoke to one worker he knows on the ship who had just put his toolbag down to “nip to the toilet” when the near-catastrophe happened.
He continued: “The guy said he didn’t know where his workmates were.
“It just makes you evaluate everything really.
“It’s so scary that you go to work and something like that can possibly happen.
“It’s bad enough having a near accident but something like that in this day and age is frightening.”
Colin Agnew, 33, another docks worker, said: “We just heard noise and we wondered what it was.
“Then all of a sudden we were hearing all the police, fire engines and the ambulances coming in. It was just crazy.”
Port chaplain Pauline Robertson, from the Sailors’ Society, described the incident as “just horrific”.
She added: “Those who witnessed it have so much to take in. It was surreal in so many ways.”
The horror came as the coastal site was blasted by strong winds.
Gusts of up to 44mph were recorded at the capital’s Gogarbank weather station at 8.58am — just after the research boat collapsed — later hitting 51mph.
A fire service turntable ladder was used to remove casualties on stretchers before they were put in waiting ambulances and rushed to hospital.
Other workers were seen wearing foil blankets as they were led to an ambulance transport vehicle.
A major incident was declared by NHS Lothian as medics battled to deal with the influx of casualties.
Planned surgeries were cancelled and the public were urged to avoid A&E unless it was an emergency.
Jacquie Campbell, the health board’s head of acute services, said: “Our staff have worked tirelessly to ensure patients get the best care.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident.
“The A&E unit at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary is the busiest in Scotland and 80 patients were already waiting for, or receiving, treatment there prior to this incident.
“We worked quickly to create additional capacity, with support from partners and other sites.”
She added: “Unfortunately, we had to cancel outpatient appointments, endoscopies and planned surgeries at the Royal Infirmary to enable staff from other areas to support their A&E colleagues and to free up our surgical staff.”
A spokesman for Dales Marine, which runs the dry dock, said: “We are liaising with the emergency services in dealing with the ongoing incident and cannot comment any further.”
He added: “Our priority is to ensure those involved and their families are supported.”
The Health and Safety Executive confirmed it was aware of the incident and was making inquiries.
Meanwhile, the US Consulate in Edinburgh said it was monitoring the situation and offering support to any American citizens involved.
A spokesman added: “We thank the emergency services for their prompt response.”
Cammy Day, leader of City of Edinburgh Council, said last night: “My thoughts are with all those affected.
“Our teams are supporting the emergency services in whatever way they can.”
Police Scotland confirmed officers remained on the scene and inquiries were ongoing to establish what caused the collapse.
Superintendent Mark Rennie said: “I’d like to thank partner agencies involved in the response.
“This incident involved a complex operation to make sure everyone was safe.
“I would also like to thank the public for their patience while the emergency services undertook a very difficult job aiding casualties.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed last night their crews also remained at the dry dock.
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