Payout to Waverley crash victim
A VICTIM of the Waverley paddle steamer crash has been awarded a five-figure sum in damages in the first confirmed payout following the accident.
The individual, who cannot be named, suffered a broken arm after the world-famous vessel collided with a pier at Brodick on the Isle of Arran last year.
More than 20 people were hurt in the collision on September 3. Day-trippers were left with broken bones and head wounds, with the most seriously injured airlifted to hospital.
The compensation was awarded after the owners of the vessel, said to be the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer, accepted liability last month for the crash and reached an outof-court settlement. Mark Gibson, partner at law firm Digby Brown, said: ‘I can confirm that last month we settled a claim for a client in relation to an injury sustained in the Waverley crash at Brodick.
‘We act for several other victims affected by this same incident so it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.’
There were 213 passengers and 26 crew on board at the time of the crash, which may have been caused by engine failure.
There were reports of chaotic scenes as several elderly passengers were injured.
One passenger told the Mail at the time: ‘Dozens of people were thrown to the deck, some bashing against metal or wooden fittings – a few looked in a bad way.’
At the time, Waverley Excursions said it ‘could not confirm’ the reason for the collision. Investigations were subsequently launched by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch and the Coastguard.
A spokesman for Waverley Excursions said: ‘All injury claims are being handled by our insurers, Waverley Excursions Ltd, which is unable to make further comment.’
The owners hope that, once Covid curbs are lifted, the vessel, which set out on its maiden voyage in 1947, will be ready to operate on the Clyde for the main summer season.