Safety warning issued after lorries overturn during stormy sailing from Larne to Scotland

An urgent safety warning has been issued after lorries overturned on a ferry sailing from Northern Ireland to Scotland during stormy weather .

A number of freight vehicles toppled on the P&O vessel sailing from Larne to Cairnryan in 65mph winds and heavy rain last December.

Emergency crews scrambled to the scene and a major incident was declared. Cars and a van were crushed but none of the 52 passengers and 56 crew on board the European Causeway was hurt.

It is being investigated by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) and a full report will be published later.

But the MAIB yesterday published a safety bulletin warning of key recommendations to address the “urgent safety issue”.

One of the vehicles crushed by lorries toppling over in the Irish Sea (PA)

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The team advised that while at sea, all roll-on roll-off decks should only be occupied by “trained professional seafarers.”

Experts also highlighted the dangers of drivers remaining in their cabs after four were found in vehicles that had toppled. One had to be freed by emergency services.

The warning advised that drivers remaining on the vehicle deck can hold up the emergency response and that drivers staying in their cabs could be at danger of asphyxiation by fire or from fire suppression systems.

The bulletin added that P&O Ferries had contacted other operators to help tackle safety concerns
about drivers staying in their cabs during sailings.

Thankfully nobody on board the vessel was hurt during the incident (PA)

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The MAIB also encouraged the Road Haulage Association to distribute the safety bulletin to members to help warn drivers.

At the time of the incident, lorry driver Niall McErlean said: “There was a lot of panic going on.”