Emergency services have been called to a dry dock after a ship partially toppled over. Police, ambulances and the fire service were called to a report that a ship had become dislodged from its holding at Imperial Dock in Leith, Scotland, at around 8.35am on Wednesday.
Pictures show the Petrel leaning at a 45-degree angle. The Petrel, a research vessel, was bought and outfitted by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.
Edinburgh Live understands around 50 people were on the vessel with 'multiple casualties' reported. The Scottish Ambulance Service sent five ambulances, an air ambulance, three trauma teams and other resources to the scene, while the fire service also attended.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Officers and emergency service colleagues are responding to an incident at Imperial Dock in Leith, Edinburgh, whereby a ship on dry dock has become dislodged from its holding. Police were called to attend at around 8.35am on Wednesday and officers remain at the scene. The public are asked to avoid the area to allow emergency service access.”
Leith councillor Adam McVey said the ship became dislodged in strong winds and he described the incident as “terrifying” for those on board.
He tweeted: “Emergency services are responding to a major incident at Leith docks – a ship has been dislodged from its holding in strong winds. Terrifying for those on board, my thoughts are with those who’ve been injured & hope everyone recovers quickly. Please avoid area.”
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We received a call at 8.29am today to attend an incident in Leith. We have dispatched five ambulances, an air ambulance, three trauma teams, our special operations team, three paramedic response units and one patient transport vehicle.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 8.43am on Wednesday to reports of an incident at Imperial Dock, Leith, Edinburgh. Operations control mobilised four appliances and a number of specialist resources. Crews currently remain in attendance.”
Subscribe here for the latest news where you live
The coastguard also sent teams to the scene, with a spokesperson saying: “HM Coastguard is currently assisting Police Scotland in responding to a major incident at Imperial Dry Dock in Edinburgh. At around 9.30am, Coastguard rescue teams from Fisherrow, South Queensferry and Kinghorn were sent to the scene. This is a multi-agency response, with the Scottish Ambulance Service and Scottish Fire and Rescue also in attendance.”
Dales Marine Services, which runs the dry dock, said it had no comment.
