Two hurt in HMS Belfast gangway collapse 29.11.11
2Two people have been injured after a gangway to HMS Belfast collapsed on the River Thames. Both men suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital after the incident at lunchtime today (Tuesday). The vessel, which saw action in World War Two and the Korean War is a major tourist attraction and permanently docked on the Thames. A spokeswoman for the Imperial War Museum, of which the ship is a part, said other people on board the vessel were being evacuated on boats after the gangway collapsed at 12.47pm. A spokeswoman for the museum said the two injured men were contractors who had been working at the site. She said in a statement: "The gangway which leads visitors on to HMS Belfast has collapsed. "Two contractors working on the site have sustained minor injuries and have been taken to hospital as a precaution. "We are currently evacuating the ship and arranging for boats to escort all visitors and staff back to shore to the nearest pier. "The Port of London Authority and emergency services have been informed. "The ship will be closed until further notice. We are beginning an urgent and full investigation into what has happened. At the moment our priority is ensuring all our visitors are safe." A section of the walkway closest to the ship could be seen partially submerged in the water. The area around the ship, which is moored on the south bank of the river close to Tower Bridge, was cordoned off with barriers to prevent people getting too close. The sides of the walkway appeared to be propped up with scaffolding and there was also tarpaulin along it. Visitors to the attraction were being transferred on to small boats on the other side of the ship.