Three hospitalised after LNG collision

12:07pm Tuesday 9th October 2007

Comments (1)   Have your say »

Three people have been taken to hospital this morning, following another incident in the water near the South Hook LNG jetty.

At 7.30am there was a collision involving the tug Smit Barracuda, contracted to BesixKier, and three SOAS safety boats. All vessels are reported to have been alongside the stricken barge that collapsed last Saturday.

Two people were thrown into the water in the collision and both were taken to hospital, one with a knock to the head.

A spokesman for Withybush Hospital said that one of the men has been discharged , while the other is in a stable condition. Another worker is currently being taken to hospital with a hand injury.

Brian Dilly, owner of SOAS safety boats said injuries were not serious, but the casualties were taken into hospital as a precautionary measure.

Milford Haven Port Authority has ordered all marine activity in the vicinity of the jetty to cease while they carry out an investigation. The Maritime Coastguard Agency has been informed.

"We are in the process of conducting an investigation into the incident ourselves to find out what happened, why it happened and take the appropriate action," said port authority chief executive Ted Sangster.

"We hope that the waterways around the jetty will be open again by this afternoon."

The rest of the Haven remains open as normal.