Scotland ferry emergency: Police scrambled as lorries tip over on ship during ‘extreme weather’ in Cairnryan

'All passengers and crew are safely accounted for,' firm says

A major emergency services response was triggered (STV News)

Emergency services were forced into a major response after six lorries tipped over on a ferry in Scotland amid high winds.

The goods vehicles shifted and caused damage due to “extreme weather” while aboard the vessel now docked at Cairnryan, P&O Ferries said.

The incident took place at about 7.30am on Tuesday, prompting calls to the police, ambulance and fire services.

No one was thought to have been hurt, and all passengers and crew are accounted for.

Reports suggested a number of people had been stuck in their vehicles.

P&O Ferries said in a statement: “We can confirm that an incident took place on the European Causeway this morning.

“In extreme weather conditions, a number of vehicles have moved position on the decks causing damage onboard.

“All passengers and crew are safely accounted for, there are no reports of injuries and the emergency services are in attendance.”

Police Scotland did not declare a major incident, the force told The Independent.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “The service was requested at 7.32am on Tuesday to assist our emergency service partners with an ongoing incident involving vehicles upon a ferry berthed at Cairnryan Ferry Terminal, Wigtownshire.

“Operations control mobilised four fire engines to the scene and firefighters presently remain in attendance.”

Police said they were alerted at 7.40am of vehicles having overturned on the ferry as it sailed from Larne in Northern Ireland to Cairnryan.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “During a choppy sailing, there has been a movement of vehicles on the car deck and this has caused around six vehicles to tip over onto their side.

“Due to the movement on the deck, there are a number of passengers confined to vehicles.

“We are able to confirm all 52 passengers and 56 crew on board are safe and well and no-one has any injuries.

“The incident remains ongoing and our emergency services will remain at the ferry terminal to provide any necessary support for the time being.”

A Scottish Ambulance Services spokesman said five ambulances were sent to the scene and crews checked over passengers.

He added: “No injuries were reported and no-one was required to be taken to hospital.

“Our specialist operations response team were also dispatched to support our emergency service partners.”

Additional reporting by PA