Injured Waverley passengers launch legal action after crash
Two passengers who were injured when the Waverley paddle steamer crashed into Brodick pier have launched legal action against the ship owners and other claims are expected to follow.
Thompsons Solicitors have been instructed to begin legal action against the operators of the Waverley after the incident in September which saw 24 people injured.
The Maritime and Coast Guard Agency said 213 passengers and 26 crew were on board the vessel when it struck the pier, as she returned from an excursion round Arran.
Thompsons, which specialises in securing compensation in large scale passenger accidents, is now initiating proceedings against the owners of the Waverley on behalf of two passengers who were injured. The firm has also been contacted by many more passengers who wish to pursue a damages claim.
Solicitor Nicola Thompson, who is handling the legal action, said: ‘We know from eye witness reports that the vessel approached the pier at Brodick at a substantial speed and struck with an enormous force. Many passengers who were queuing to disembark were propelled forward at excess speed. This inevitably led to significant injuries to a large number of passengers as they crashed against walls and bulkheads on the ferry.’
Miss Thompson continued: ‘We are fast tracking a legal claim on behalf of two passengers who were holidaying in Scotland and suffered terrible injuries due to the collision. Their entire trip was ruined and in addition they suffered the indignity of being refused any refund by the operators of the Waverley.
‘We will be initiating further claims shortly and call on the ferry owners to meet with us to conclude these matters as quickly as possible,’ she added.
Police, paramedics, fire brigade, coastguards and rescue helicopters were scrambled to the scene after the alarm was raised shortly after 5pm on Thursday September 3.
Of the 24 casualties at least six were airlifted off the island with other casualties taken to the Arran War Memorial Hospital in a fleet of ambulances, while others, described as ‘walking wounded’, were treated at the scene.
In a statement Waverley Excursions Ltd said: ‘To date Waverley Excursions Ltd has received no communication from Thompsons Solicitors in respect of any legal action relating to the incident with Waverley at Brodick on September 3 2020. Any claims we receive will be passed directly to our insurers.
‘We can confirm that anyone who was involved in the incident, who had contacted us, has been issued a full refund.’