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'Major incident' as lorries topple on Larne to Cairnryan ferry Lorries toppled after 'big dip' on Larne to Cairnryan ferry
(about 1 hour later)
Emergency services were called to a "major incident" on a ferry from Northern Ireland to Scotland after a number of lorries toppled over. A man caught up in a "major incident" on a ferry from Northern Ireland to Scotland has described how a "big dip" caused lorries to topple over.
It happened as "extreme weather conditions" affected the service between Larne and Cairnryan. Emergency services were called out to Cairnryan at about 07:40 after severe weather hit the service from Larne.
Police said the south of Scotland port was likely to be shut for some time and anyone planning on sailing should only travel "if absolutely necessary". Lorry driver Niall Mcerlean said "all the wrecking took place" about halfway through the journey.
No-one was badly hurt but some people were stuck in their vehicles. No-one was badly hurt but some people were stuck in vehicles. Police said the port would be shut for some time.
They said anyone planning on sailing should only travel "if absolutely necessary".
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch said it was "liaising closely" with those involved to determine the circumstances of the "cargo shift" on board the vessel.
Ferry operator P&O said its 16:30 sailing had been cancelled and it urged affected passengers to call 0800 130 0030 to arrange alternative travel.Ferry operator P&O said its 16:30 sailing had been cancelled and it urged affected passengers to call 0800 130 0030 to arrange alternative travel.
Lorry driver Niall Mcerlean was on board when the alarm was raised. Mr Mcerlean was on board when the alarm was raised.
He said: "We got on the ferry about half four and it was a wee bit rough and choppy coming along.He said: "We got on the ferry about half four and it was a wee bit rough and choppy coming along.
"About half way across it sort of went into a big dip and came back out of it and that is when all the wrecking took place. "About halfway across it sort of went into a big dip and came back out of it and that is when all the wrecking took place.
"After that the boat was sort of capsizing over a wee bit, leaning over a wee bit.""After that the boat was sort of capsizing over a wee bit, leaning over a wee bit."
Asked if he thought the ferry was going to topple over, Mr Mcerlean replied: "We thought she was away at that time."Asked if he thought the ferry was going to topple over, Mr Mcerlean replied: "We thought she was away at that time."
He also said passengers were taken aback by the speed with which the incident unfolded.He also said passengers were taken aback by the speed with which the incident unfolded.
Mr Mcerlean said: "It happened that quick that people didn't know what was taking place and everybody was nervous and afraid if we were going on over.Mr Mcerlean said: "It happened that quick that people didn't know what was taking place and everybody was nervous and afraid if we were going on over.
"There was a lot of panic going on.""There was a lot of panic going on."
Mr Mcerlean said the sailing was the only one out of Northern Ireland last night.Mr Mcerlean said the sailing was the only one out of Northern Ireland last night.
He added: "I don't know why P&O sailed last night because it was giving out for a storm.He added: "I don't know why P&O sailed last night because it was giving out for a storm.
"Maybe they shouldn't have sailed.""Maybe they shouldn't have sailed."
In a statement, P&O Ferries said an incident had taken place on one of its vessels, the European Causeway.In a statement, P&O Ferries said an incident had taken place on one of its vessels, the European Causeway.
"In extreme weather conditions, a number of vehicles have moved position on the decks causing damage onboard," it said."In extreme weather conditions, a number of vehicles have moved position on the decks causing damage onboard," it said.
"All passengers and crew are safely accounted for, there are no reports of injuries and the emergency services are in attendance.""All passengers and crew are safely accounted for, there are no reports of injuries and the emergency services are in attendance."
Police Scotland said it had been called out after reports of a "number of vehicles" having overturned on the ferry.Police Scotland said it had been called out after reports of a "number of vehicles" having overturned on the ferry.
"During a choppy sailing, there has been a movement of vehicles on the car deck and this has caused around six vehicles to tip over onto their side," it said in a statement. They confirmed none of the 52 passengers and 56 crew had been seriously hurt.
"Due to the movement on the deck, there are a number of passengers confined to vehicles."
They confirmed all 52 passengers and 56 crew were safe and well.
Ch Insp Stephen Stiff said: "Emergency services were on the scene very quickly and as the ferry docked into Cairnryan staff were able to board the ferry and start making sure all passengers and crew were safe and well.Ch Insp Stephen Stiff said: "Emergency services were on the scene very quickly and as the ferry docked into Cairnryan staff were able to board the ferry and start making sure all passengers and crew were safe and well.
"Thankfully there have been very minor injuries only to a handful of passengers - there have been no significant injuries at all which is a blessing."Thankfully there have been very minor injuries only to a handful of passengers - there have been no significant injuries at all which is a blessing.
"Beyond that there will now be a recovery operation by the emergency services working together to make sure that the vehicles that have overturned on the decks can be righted and taken off in a proper and controlled fashion.""Beyond that there will now be a recovery operation by the emergency services working together to make sure that the vehicles that have overturned on the decks can be righted and taken off in a proper and controlled fashion."
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said it had been called out at about 07:30 to assist with the operation. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sent four fire engines to the scene to help while the Scottish Ambulance service sent five ambulances and crews checked passengers over.
It sent four fire engines to the scene in Cairnryan to help with the incident.
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said five ambulances were sent to the scene and crews checked over passengers.
He added: "No injuries were reported and no-one was required to be taken to hospital.
"Our specialist operations response team were also dispatched to support our emergency service partners."
Are you on the ferry? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you on the ferry? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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