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29/01/2009
Lorry Accident Leaves HSS Passengers Stranded
Everyone on board a 'fast-ferry' service that set out to travel to Northern Ireland last night from Stranraer in Scotland are this afternoon still on board the vessel.
All of the 156 passengers and 33 crew are stranded on board after a lorry shifted in the car deck and came to rest hanging off the back of the vessel.
The HSS Stena Voyager, which was bound for Belfast, had to return to Stranraer after the alarm was raised on Wednesday evening.
The first that anyone knew was when a loud bang was heard by passengers.
The emergency services were alerted to the incident around 9.30pm last night, after the vessel had left Stranraer at just before 8pm.
Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary said an articulated tanker broke free and seriously damaged one of the stern doors.
They said that the Voyager then sailed back to Stranraer where the stricken motor lorry will today be removed by crane, before the vessel can be properly berthed to allow passengers and vehicles to disembark.
Those stranded on board have been supplied with blankets and food and a crane has been brought from the north of England to remove the lorry.
The vehicle has been identified as a tanker - laden with non-hazardous ferrous sulphate powder.
Police said the load was fully intact and none of the substance had leaked.
He added: "Scottish Environment Protection Agency advice has been obtained in the event any leakage occurs and there is no danger to the public.
"A full investigation into the incident will be carried out by Stena Line and maritime agencies."
The BBC has reported that Colin Lockhead from Clyde Coastguard said they had been monitoring the situation: "We put out the Stranraer lifeboat and the Stranraer Coastguard rescue team as well just to stand by the vessel for safety reasons," he said.
"Because of the lorry still hanging from the stern of the vessel it was unable to hook up to the link span at the harbour, so the passengers and vehicles have been unable to disembark from the vessel."
(BMcC/JM)
All of the 156 passengers and 33 crew are stranded on board after a lorry shifted in the car deck and came to rest hanging off the back of the vessel.
The HSS Stena Voyager, which was bound for Belfast, had to return to Stranraer after the alarm was raised on Wednesday evening.
The first that anyone knew was when a loud bang was heard by passengers.
The emergency services were alerted to the incident around 9.30pm last night, after the vessel had left Stranraer at just before 8pm.
Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary said an articulated tanker broke free and seriously damaged one of the stern doors.
They said that the Voyager then sailed back to Stranraer where the stricken motor lorry will today be removed by crane, before the vessel can be properly berthed to allow passengers and vehicles to disembark.
Those stranded on board have been supplied with blankets and food and a crane has been brought from the north of England to remove the lorry.
The vehicle has been identified as a tanker - laden with non-hazardous ferrous sulphate powder.
Police said the load was fully intact and none of the substance had leaked.
He added: "Scottish Environment Protection Agency advice has been obtained in the event any leakage occurs and there is no danger to the public.
"A full investigation into the incident will be carried out by Stena Line and maritime agencies."
The BBC has reported that Colin Lockhead from Clyde Coastguard said they had been monitoring the situation: "We put out the Stranraer lifeboat and the Stranraer Coastguard rescue team as well just to stand by the vessel for safety reasons," he said.
"Because of the lorry still hanging from the stern of the vessel it was unable to hook up to the link span at the harbour, so the passengers and vehicles have been unable to disembark from the vessel."
(BMcC/JM)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy. Also mainly dry at first this evening but then occasional outbreaks of rain developing overnight. Light southwest winds, and staying mild. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
