THIS is the dramatic moment workers were sent running after the wooden cradle carrying the 555-tonne Maid of the Loch snapped, sending the boat back into the water.

Members of the public and the media looked on in shock on the banks of Loch Lomond this afternoon as the mission to lift the historic paddle steamer out of the water ended in failure.

In video captured by the Evening Times, workers who were underneath the boat quickly sprang back onto the banks as the wooden cradle snapped, sending the huge boat back.

A worker appeared to have been dragged into the water but looked to have made it back onto shore.

The men scrambled to get to their feet while the public looked on in dismay as the boat fell back into the loch.

The Evening Times has attempted to contact the Scottish Ambulance Service and the Maid of the Loch team for more information.

The Maid of the Loch Twitter page issued a short statement and said: “Unfortunately, an incident has happened with what we believe to be the carriage and the ship is now back in the water.

“We will now secure her back to the pier to assess the situation.

“Thanks for your support today. Updates will be provided once we know more.”

The group behind the ship’s restoration received a Scottish Government grant of almost £1 million last month, meaning the ship could be set to sail after more than 30 years.