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An English tourist on his first trip aboard the doomed Waverley steamboat watched in horror as ‘shocked and shocked’ people were rescued from the wrecked ship.
James Roberts of Leeds was with his partner and their three-year-old son on a week-long vacation in Arran when the drama unfolded last night.
At least 24 people were injured after the iconic ship crashed at Brodick Pier on the island around 5 p.m. last night.
Other witnesses have described how some of the 213 passengers on board were “catapulted forward” by the force of the crash that left the ship badly damaged.
Then about 138 were picked up by a special rescue candle placed by CalMac.
James, 43, told the Record: “It happened very suddenly. Apparently there was an advertisement asking people to sit down, although we didn’t hear it.
“The ship did not slow down as it approached the port and it hit it quite fast. A lot of people fell and some seemed to be injured, hopefully not seriously.
“I heard a suggestion that there was a problem putting the engine in reverse to reduce speed.”
The project manager added that it was “very fortunate” that the doctors were on board to treat the injured.
He said: “People were knocked down quite hard. Many people fell to the ground on the deck and there were certainly some with injured arms and legs.”
“I really hope they can repair the ship and sail again. It would be a great shame if not.
“I hope the injuries show that they have not been too serious.
“The dock staff were in control and took over very quickly and the emergency services, including mountain rescue on the ship, also very quickly.
“(People were) quite shocked and shocked. People were wondering how they were doing and trying to take care of each other.
“There were already some medics on board who helped the crew take care of and care for the injured passengers while they waited for emergency services.
“A man with one arm put a sling on board, a couple of passengers kept warm with blankets and kept lying down.”
Other passengers have reported injuries.
Karen Mulligan tweeted: “Today’s Waverley trip was wonderful as I have waited 2 years to do it.
“Then it crashed … Fortunately I managed to get away with some bumps and bruises, but a lot of people got a lot worse.”
More tweets from her were added; “A man had a broken arm, a lot of blows and some people lying on the ground unable to move.”
Another added: “The crew was excellent and the ambulances arrived very quickly, hopefully everyone is well.”
Meanwhile, government investigators from the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) have confirmed that an investigation has been launched to find out what happened.
The body tweeted: “We began an investigation into the passenger ship Waverley’s contact with the pier at Brodick, Isle of Arran, Scotland yesterday, which resulted in injury to passengers and damage to the ship.”
A notice has now been posted on the MAIB website describing the incident as “Contact of a passenger ship with the pier upon arrival at Brodick, Isle of Arran, resulting in injury to passengers and damage to the ship.”
More trips from the steamer were canceled.
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