Victims sue over paddle steamer crash
Legal action on behalf of two p a s s e n g e r s wh o we r e s e r iously hurt when the historic ship hit Brodick pier has been launched against Waverley Excursions.
Thompsons Solicitors said it had been instructed to begin a claim against the operator following the incident on Arran on 3 September.
It said it had also been contacted by “many more” pass e n g e r s wa n t i n g t o p u r s u e damages, and said it would be lodging other claims.
A total of 24 of the 213 passengers and 26 crew on board at the time were injured.
S o l i c i t o r N i c o l a T h o m p - son said: “We know from eyew i t n e s s r e p o r t s t h e ve s s e l approached the pier at a substantial speed and struck with an enormous force.
“Many passengers who were queuing to disembark were propelled for ward at excess speed.
“This inevitably led to significant injuries to a large number of passengers as they crashed against walls and bulkheads.
“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.”
In a claim disputed by Waverley Excursions, Ms Thomp - s o n s a i d : “T h e i r e n t i r e t r i p 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 owners to meet with us to conclude these matters as quickly as possible.”
A spokesperson for Waverley Excursions said: “We have received no communication from Thompsons S olicitors in respect of any legal action relating to the incident.
“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.”
T h e Wa v e r l e y h a d o n l y resumed sailing less than a fortnight before the incident,
after b eing out of action for t wo years for a b oiler refurbishment.
The boat, built in 1947 and described as the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer, had been due to continue sailing
until 12 September.
H o we v e r, t h e Wav e r l e y ’s operators confirmed that the boat was badly damaged and its sailing season was over.