Inquiry after ferry crash

The workers were not injured in the accident

An investigation has begun after a ferry collided with a boat terminal in Merseyside.

The accident, at the 12 Quays terminal in Birkenhead, left five people trapped.

The dock workers were on a gantry at the terminal at the time of the crash, just before 0600 BST on Sunday.

A 50-metre section of the terminal broke away after the Norse Merchant ship Mersey Viking struck it after an overnight crossing from Belfast.

The men, who were uninjured, were eventually rescued by the Pier Head rescue boat.

'No disruption'

Rescue boat crew members later joined the New Brighton lifeboat to secure the section of the terminal, which was swept away on a falling tide.

It was later towed ashore at Wallasey by a tug boat.

An investigation is being carried out to establish how badly damaged the ferry terminal is.

Norse Merchant Ferries said there will be no disruption to ferry crossings on Sunday night, although the morning ferry from Dublin was delayed by the accident.

The Merseyside Dock and Harbour company, which owns 12 Quays, says work to replace the damage will take place as North Merchant Ferries investigate the crash.