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Four people hurt in Isle of Wight ferry accident Four people hurt in Isle of Wight ferry accident
(about 1 hour later)
Four people are being treated in hospital after the upper deck of a car ferry collapsed.Four people are being treated in hospital after the upper deck of a car ferry collapsed.
Paramedics along with police, fire crews and the coastguard were called to the Fishbourne terminal on the Isle of Wight shortly before 10.30pm on Friday.Paramedics along with police, fire crews and the coastguard were called to the Fishbourne terminal on the Isle of Wight shortly before 10.30pm on Friday.
As passengers disembarked the forward mezzanine deck on the starboard side of the ferry, which had nine cars on it, collapsed on to the deck beneath it as it was being lowered.As passengers disembarked the forward mezzanine deck on the starboard side of the ferry, which had nine cars on it, collapsed on to the deck beneath it as it was being lowered.
Vehicles on the lower deck had already left the ferry.Vehicles on the lower deck had already left the ferry.
The incident occurred on the Wightlink Ferries St Helen car ferry, which sailed at 9.30pm from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight with 181 passengers and 11 crew on board.The incident occurred on the Wightlink Ferries St Helen car ferry, which sailed at 9.30pm from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight with 181 passengers and 11 crew on board.
Karen Woods, a spokeswoman for the company, said the deck "dropped a few feet and made contact with the lower deck".Karen Woods, a spokeswoman for the company, said the deck "dropped a few feet and made contact with the lower deck".
She said: "One member of the crew and three passengers have been taken to St Mary's Hospital by ambulance. The Isle of Wight ambulance service has confirmed none of the injuries are life-threatening. A member of Wightlink's staff attended the hospital to aid and support customers."She said: "One member of the crew and three passengers have been taken to St Mary's Hospital by ambulance. The Isle of Wight ambulance service has confirmed none of the injuries are life-threatening. A member of Wightlink's staff attended the hospital to aid and support customers."
It is not known whether those injured were in cars on the mezzanine deck or were on the level beneath it.It is not known whether those injured were in cars on the mezzanine deck or were on the level beneath it.
A full investigation is under way and the incident has been reported to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.A full investigation is under way and the incident has been reported to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.
A spokesman for the Isle of Wight ambulance service said the patients were being treated for "a variety of injuries", and all were "conscious and breathing" when they were taken from the scene.A spokesman for the Isle of Wight ambulance service said the patients were being treated for "a variety of injuries", and all were "conscious and breathing" when they were taken from the scene.
He said: "We are not aware of the nature of the injuries. It is very fortunate that it was only four people injured, all things considered."He said: "We are not aware of the nature of the injuries. It is very fortunate that it was only four people injured, all things considered."
Portsmouth police on Friday night warned of delays for people hoping to travel to the Isle of Wight from the city because of the incident.Portsmouth police on Friday night warned of delays for people hoping to travel to the Isle of Wight from the city because of the incident.
Wightlink Ferries said the St Helen car ferry is inspected regularly by external surveyors and last underwent an engineering survey, including its mezzanine decks, in May following its annual refit.Wightlink Ferries said the St Helen car ferry is inspected regularly by external surveyors and last underwent an engineering survey, including its mezzanine decks, in May following its annual refit.
Wightlink said that services on its Portsmouth to Fishbourne route are running about 20 minutes behind schedule.
Wightlink apologised for the inconvenience but said that a number of sailings in both directions have been cancelled through to Monday evening.