Seven people remain in hospital after US Navy ship tipped over at Imperial Dock in Leith

Seven people remain in hospital after a ship tipped over in a dry dock, leaving 35 people injured.

NHS Lothian confirmed five people are still receiving treatment at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after a major incident was declared at Imperial Dock in Leith on Wednesday.

A total of 33 patients were treated by the Scottish Ambulance Service and two others were later transferred to Victoria Hospital in Fife, where they currently remain.

Now owned by the US Navy, the ship was left leaning at a 45-degree angle in the dry dock following the incident.

NHS Lothian’s acute services chief officer urged people not to attend A&E unless it was an emergency.

The Scottish Ambulance Service said a further 12 people were treated and discharged at the scene, where it had sent 12 ambulances, an air ambulance, three trauma teams and other resources.

Michelle Carr, service director at NHS Lothian, said: “Five people remain in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh following the major incident at Imperial Dock in Leith, and our thoughts continue to be with everyone affected by this incident.

“Outpatient appointments and elective surgeries have resumed today, and we will be in touch with everyone whose treatment was postponed to rearrange this as soon as possible.

“I want to thank our staff, partners and the public for their tremendous support and cooperation as we worked to maximise our capacity and deliver the best possible care.”

The Petrel, a 76m (250ft) research vessel, was previously bought and outfitted by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and was sold by his estate in 2022.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said investigations were under way, with Police Scotland also making enquiries.

An HSE spokesperson said on Thursday: “We will have inspectors at the scene today to begin an investigation into this incident, working with Police Scotland.”

A US Navy spokesman said: “We are working closely with the on-site authorities, who are in the best position to help those in need and to provide status updates.

“We will continue to communicate with our contacts at the scene in order to understand what occurred, the actions being taken, and the long-term impacts.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those injured and their families, with hopes for a quick and full recovery.”

Dales Marine Services, which runs the dry dock, said on Wednesday it was “liaising with the emergency services and relevant authorities” in dealing with the incident.

Mr Allen bought the ship to locate historically significant shipwrecks and it discovered around 30 sunken warships, including the Japanese Imperial Navy’s IJN Musashi.

The Petrel has been moored at Leith since September 3, 2020, due to “operational challenges” from the pandemic, according to a statement on the vessel’s social media page.