Investigations continue after 3,000-ton ship topples over and smashes into dockyard

Terrified workers claimed it was a ‘miracle’ no one was killed after a 3,000-ton ship toppled over and smashed into a dockyard yesterday.

Eight workers were being treated for ‘serious injuries’ last night after the 250ft R/V Petrel keeled over in dry dock during high winds.

One casualty underwent emergency surgery and a further 15 were admitted to hospital following the dramatic collapse at Imperial Dock in Leith, Edinburgh.

The research vessel, believed to be owned by the US Navy, was left leaning at a 45-degree angle just after 8.30am.

Witnesses said the ship toppled over in an ‘ear-shattering crash’ of metal as 45mph winds battered the area.

One worker on the site opposite the vessel described the moment it went down. He said: ‘I had my back to it at the time, but I have never heard anything like it.

Eight workers were being treated for ‘serious injuries’ last night after the 250ft R/V Petrel keeled over in dry dock during high winds

The research vessel, believed to be owned by the US Navy, was left leaning at a 45-degree angle just after 8.30am

‘The noise was unbelievable and the first thing I did was look up as I thought an aircraft or something of considerable size was coming down on top of me.

‘I immediately turned around and saw the top of the vessel above the building next to me lying at a concerning angle. I was scared until I realised what had actually occurred, then I dashed round the side of the building to see the workforce in the dry dock fleeing from around the vessel.

‘I didn’t want to get any closer than I was in case there was a risk of anything else happening.

‘It was over in a matter of seconds, the workers would not have known anything was amiss until the vessel actually fell over. It was very windy at the time.

‘How there was no loss of life is an absolute miracle. Someone must have been looking over them at the time. I certainly will never forget the ear-shattering crash of metal.’

The Scottish Ambulance Service said 23 people were taken to hospital following the incident, while a further 12 were treated and discharged at the scene. A spokesman said 17 patients were taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE), four to the Western General Hospital in the city and two to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.

In total, 12 emergency vehicles attended the scene, as well as an air ambulance and a special operations team.

Witnesses said the ship toppled over in an ‘ear-shattering crash’ of metal as 45mph winds battered the area.

Emergency services transport an injured person from Imperial Dock in Leith

The Scottish Ambulance Service said 23 people were taken to hospital following the incident, while a further 12 were treated and discharged at the scene

In total, 12 emergency vehicles attended the scene, as well as an air ambulance and a special operations team

The boat has been at Leith for the past three years after the pandemic caused it to be put into long-term dry dock

The boat has been at Leith for the past three years after the pandemic caused it to be put into long-term dry dock.

Before this, it had been used for deep-water searches for shipwrecks and war graves at sea, including the long-lost warship USS Indianapolis, which was sunk by a Japanese submarine in the Pacific Ocean during the Second World War.

It had been fitted out for the specialist searches by its previous billionaire owner, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, who died in 2018. The vessel was sold last year to the US Navy and has been owned by its Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center since then, according to the BBC.

The US Consulate in Edinburgh said it was monitoring the situation and offering support to US citizens who were involved. It added: ‘We thank the emergency services for their prompt response. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this incident.’

It is understood the boat was undergoing work by dry dock specialist Dales Marine when the incident occurred.

A statement from the company said: ‘Dales Marine is currently dealing with an incident at our Leith dry dock facility at the Port of Leith. We are liaising with the emergency services in dealing with the ongoing incident and cannot comment any further. Dales Marine’s priority is to ensure those involved and their families are supported.’

It is understood the boat was undergoing work by dry dock specialist Dales Marine when the incident occurred

The ship was previously used for deep-water searches for shipwrecks and war graves at sea, including the long-lost warship USS Indianapolis, which was sunk by a Japanese submarine in the Pacific Ocean during the Second World War

Police Scotland confirmed that shortly after 1pm yesterday all casualties had been removed from the area and everyone had been accounted for

Police Scotland confirmed that shortly after 1pm yesterday all casualties had been removed from the area and everyone had been accounted for.

Superintendent Mark Rennie said: ‘I would like to thank partner agencies involved in the response to this incident, which involved a complex operation to make sure everyone was safe.

‘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. I would also like to thank the public for their patience while the emergency services undertook a very difficult job aiding casualties. We continue to ask people to avoid the area.’

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said: ‘We are aware of this incident and are making inquiries.’

NHS Lothian said it had been ‘on standby to receive a number of patients’ at the A&E department of the RIE from the scene and urged others not to attend unless in an emergency.

Jacquie Campbell, chief officer of acute services, NHS Lothian, said nine casualties had been discharged after treatment.

She added: ‘Our staff are working tirelessly to ensure patients get the best care and our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident. A&E at the RIE is the busiest in Scotland and 80 patients were already waiting for, or receiving, treatment in A&E prior to this incident.

‘Unfortunately, we did have to cancel outpatient appointments, endoscopies and planned surgeries at the RIE today to enable staff from other areas to support their A&E colleagues and to free-up our surgical staff for emergencies.

‘There are no plans at this time to postpone appointments or elective procedures tomorrow, but assessments continue and patients will be contacted directly if the situation changes.’