A person has been hospitalised after a crane reportedly collapsed onto a container ship at the Port of Tyne in South Shields earlier today, 19 July 2026. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene on the south bank of the River Tyne following reports of the incident.
Images circulating from the port show a crane on its side, leaning against a section of a container vessel. The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) confirmed they received a call just after 1:00 PM BST and subsequently transported one individual to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle for treatment.
A spokesperson for NEAS detailed their response, stating, "We were called to an incident in which a person was injured at the Port of Tyne, South Shields, at 13:02. We dispatched three double-crewed ambulances, two clinical team leaders, a duty officer, three vehicles from our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) and were supported by Great North Air Ambulance Service." The spokesperson added that one HART vehicle remains on standby at the scene to assist the fire service.
The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service also confirmed their attendance at the incident. However, no further details regarding the cause of the collapse or the extent of the damage have been officially released by authorities at this time.
The Port of Tyne is a significant deep-sea port on the North East coast of England, handling various types of cargo, including containers, bulk goods, and vehicles. Incidents of this nature are rare and typically trigger comprehensive investigations into operational safety protocols and equipment maintenance.