A number of passengers have been taken to hospital after the Waverley crashed at Brodick pier yesterday.

The iconic paddle steamer hit the pier on Arran around 5:30pm, just hours after it departed Largs, after the vessel tried to dock ‘too fast’ according to witnesses.

 There have been 24 reported injuries, with a number of passengers taken to hospital, with emergency services stood down from the scene at 4am.

 Dramatic pictures show the extent of the damage to the Waverley, with one passenger describing the scene on board as a ‘mess’.

Eyewitness Dea Summer was due to board the ferry to travel back home to Largs when the boat struck the pier.

She said: “It was very windy and the boat was too fast, it was a very loud crash, it just sailed straight into the pier.

“First the ambulances arrived and later some police cars arrived without sirens, and now we’re waiting in the ferry lounge.

“Everyone is hoping that the last ferry can come over, people are generally calm.”

An emergency ferry was launched by CalMac at 10:30pm to bring home passengers stranded on the island.

It is believed that there was a total of 213 passengers and 26 crew on board at the time of the collision.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “Police Scotland are currently on the scene at Brodick Ferry Terminal, Isle of Arran after an incident involving a steamboat which happened at 5:15pm.

A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "Along with partner agencies we worked to ensure everyone was taken safely from the vessel, and those who did not require medical treatment were taken to Ardrossan by ferry.

“All emergency services had left the scene at 4am today. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has been informed.”

Waverley Excursions has announced that the iconic vessel will not be making any further sailings this year, following ‘heavy contact while berthing’.

The Waverley departed Largs at 12:45pm and stopped at Brodick before cruising to Pladda and Holy Isle, before returning to Arran, with the vessel due to leave Brodick at 5:15pm and return to Largs at around 6:40pm.

The Waverley only returned to service last month following a two-year refit after an urgent funding appeal was launched.