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Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service says passengers boarding the Ben-my-Chree at Heysham this afternoon had a lucky escape.
Seven adults and a child were on the gangway when it apparently 'un-hitched' from the boat, but a section of the structure which actually collapsed had nobody on it at the time.
Firefighters rushed to the scene and put an emergency rescue plan into place after they were alerted by the authorities at Heysham port.
John Taylor of Lancashire Fire Service says first aid was given to people suffering from shock, but nobody required further treatment:
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