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

Terrified workers claimed it was a “miracle” no one died after a 3,000-tonne ship capsized and crashed into a shipyard yesterday.

Last night, eight workers were being treated for “serious injuries” after the 250-foot R/V Petrel sank in dry dock during high winds.

One victim underwent emergency surgery and 15 others 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, listed at a 45-degree angle just after 8:30 a.m.

Witnesses said the boat capsized in a “deafening crash” of metal as 45mph winds ripped through the area.

A worker at the site in front of the vessel described the moment it sank. He said: ‘She had her back turned at the time, but she had never heard anything like it.

The research vessel, believed to be US Navy property, was listed at a 45-degree angle shortly after 8:30 a.m.

“The noise was incredible and the first thing I did was look up because I thought that a plane or something of considerable size was coming towards me.

I immediately turned around and saw the top of the craft over the building next to me at a worrying angle. I was scared until I realized what had really happened, then I ran around the side of the building to see the workforce in the dry dock fleeing from around the ship.

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

‘It was over in a matter of seconds, the workers would not have realized something was wrong until the boat actually capsized. It was very windy at the time.

‘How there was no loss of life is an absolute miracle. Someone must have been watching them at that time. Of course, I will never forget the deafening crash of metal.

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

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

Witnesses said the boat capsized in a “deafening crash” of metal as 45mph winds ripped through 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 12 others were treated and released at the scene.

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

The ship has been in Leith for the past three years after the pandemic caused it to go into long-term dry dock.

The ship has been in Leith for the past three years after the pandemic caused it to go into long-term dry dock.

Prior to this, it had been used for deep-sea 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 World War II. .

It had been outfitted for specialized searches by its previous billionaire owner, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, who died in 2018. The ship has since been sold to the US Navy last year, according to the BBC.

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

Dry dock specialist Dales Marine is understood to have been working on the ship when the incident occurred.

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

Dry dock specialist Dales Marine is understood to have been working on the ship when the incident occurred.

The ship was previously used for deep-sea 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 World War II.

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

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

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

“There is no risk to the general public and investigations are underway to establish the full circumstances of what happened.” The Health and Safety Executive has been informed. I would also like to thank the public for their patience as the emergency services did a very difficult job helping the victims. We continue to ask people to avoid the area.

A spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive said: “We are aware of this incident and are investigating.”

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

Jacquie Campbell, director of acute services, NHS Lothian, said nine victims had been released after treatment.

She added: ‘Our staff are working tirelessly to ensure patients receive 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 or receiving treatment at A&E prior to this incident.

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

“There are no plans at this time to postpone appointments or elective procedures tomorrow, but evaluations are continuing and patients will be contacted directly if the situation changes.”