Four People Injured in Isle of Wight Ferry Collapse

Four people have been hospitalised after the upper deck of a car ferry collapsed on to the level below as passengers disembarked.

The incident occurred at the Fishbourne terminal on the Isle of Wight at 10.30pm on Friday (18 July).

Paramedics, police, fire crews and the coastguard attended the scene after the forward mezzanine deck, carrying nine cars, gave way after the ferry docked.

Three passengers and one crew member were taken to St Mary's Hospital in Newport with non-life-threatening injuries.

In a statement, Wightlink ferries said: "As part of the usual disembarkation process, after vehicles on the lower deck had left the ship, the starboard forward mezzanine deck with nine cars on board was lowered.

"When it was a short distance from the deck below, it dropped a few feet and made contact with the lower deck."

An Isle of Wight Ambulance Service spokesman said: "Four patients required ambulance treatment for a variety of injuries, none of which are believed to be life threatening. All are conscious and breathing.

"All patients have now left the scene and are on their way to the hospital at Newport. 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 added.

Wightlink ferries said a full investigation into the incident is now under way.

"The incident has been reported to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch and Wightlink is fully co-operating with the authorities," it said.

"St Helen, in common with all Wightlink ferries, is inspected regularly by external surveyors. The last independent engineering survey of the ship, including its mezzanine decks, took place in May 2014 during her annual refit."

Portsmouth police warned of delays for people hoping to travel to the Isle of Wight from the city.