More than 20 people have been injured, some seriously, after a tourist boat hit the rocks at a beauty spot in Australia.
Several passengers have been airlifted to hospital after the horror accident on an early-morning tour at Horizontal Falls, off the Kimberley coast, at just after 7am today.
Some 26 passengers and two crew members were reportedly on the boat when it went down.
West Kimberley Shire president Geoff Haerewa said the vessel hit the rocks at the beauty spot.
Initial reports said the boat had capsized, although a tour operator later confirmed the vessel had returned to the pontoon.
Injured passengers have been airlifted to hospital in the town of Broome, which is around 155 miles from the beauty spot.
Some are believed to be seriously injured, although police say none of the injuries are life threatening.
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Witnesses have seen people arriving in Broome with bandages on their legs and bodies, The Courier Mail reports.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) said it was leading the response to help more than 20 patients injured in the incident.
It has dispatched four aircraft, six doctors and six nurses, with two aircraft and crews already at the scene.
A RFDS spokesman said: "RFDS clinicians are assessing and treating patients on the boat.
"The first group of patients with minor injuries have been transported to Broome by seaplane for further assessment and treatment at Broome Hospital.
"Approximately 12 further patients with more serious injuries will be transferred to Perth or Broome for further treatment this afternoon."
A Western Australia Health Service spokeswoman said: "Kimberley Hospitals are on stand-by and Broome Health Campus has activated an emergency alert in anticipation of patient arrivals – the first of which are expected within the hour."
Broome Police tweeted: "Kimberley Police are dealing with an ongoing incident at Horizontal Falls. Several persons have been injured but no injuries are believed to be life threatening."
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Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures, which has flown some of the injured passengers to Broome, said: "Falls Express, guided by an experienced skipper during an early-morning tour, was involved in the incident while travelling through the falls.
"The vessel immediately returned to the pontoon. [We] are continuing to liaise with the RFDS and emergency services to manage the incident."
Horizontal Falls, which is famous for its fast-moving tides, draws in thousands of thrill-seekers every year.
Sir David Attenborough once described the surging currents in the falls as 'one of the greatest natural wonders of the world'.
