The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) has confirmed 25 people have been injured after a boat tipped at Leith Docks on Wednesday morning.
RV Petrel, owned by the estate of Microsoft co-owner Paul Allen, was photographed at a 45 degree angle before it was revealed that 50 people were onboard. Police, paramedics and firefighters raced to the scene.
A witness said: "You could see the boat across the docks at a severe angle. There are ambulances lined up one. after another on the dockside with their lights on. I just hope everyone is ok."
READ MORE - Edinburgh hospital on standby for 'number of patients' as locals warned avoid A&E
A spokesperson for the SAS said: "“We received a call at 0829 hours today to attend an incident in Leith.
"We have dispatched five ambulances, an air ambulance, three trauma teams, our special operations team (SORT), three Paramedic Response Units (PRU) and one patient transport vehicle. We transported 15 patients to hospital; 11 to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and four to Western General Hospital. A further 10 patients were treated and discharged at the scene.”
The condition of those injured is currently unknown. NHS Lothian have said they're on 'standby' for the patients, warning people to avoid attending A&E at the Royal Infirmary 'unless it's an emergency'.
A witness said: "You could see the boat across the docks at a severe angle. There are ambulances lined up one. after another on the dockside with their lights on. I just hope everyone is ok."
Jacquie Campbell, Chief Officer of Acute Services at NHS Lothian, said: “We’re on standby to receive a number of patients at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh’s A&E department following a major incident at Imperial Dock in Leith.
“We have been reviewing the current capacity at the RIE, with support from other sites, to prepare to accommodate these patients. Given the expected pressure on the site, we urge people not to attend A&E at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh unless it’s an emergency.
“If you think you need urgent care, please contact your GP or call NHS 24 on 111 to seek advice. Thank you.”
Scottish Greens Lothian MSP Lorna Slater said: “My team and I are monitoring events very closely. Images of such a large ship in dry dock leaning at 45 degree angle is very concerning.
“I understand that around 25 people have been injured in some way, with around 15 of them now in hospital. My thoughts are with them and others impacted by what must have been a terrifying experience.
“Because of the nature of the incident there will clearly be a level of disruption for locals and for people travelling in and around the Leith area.
“I would ask people to exercise patience and where they can seek alternative routes to allow first responders and other agencies to go about their work.
“Our thanks go to the emergency services and other agencies who are working to deal with this and to assess the situation moving forward."
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