Greenock couple on board the Waverley when it crashed told how they rushed to the aid of elderly passenger

Both Angela and Steven Anderson stepped in to help those who were hurt when the paddle steamer hit Brodick Pier on Thursday.

As the dramatic scenes unfolded they immediately set about comforting some of the most seriously injured.

Speaking to the Tele yesterday, they paid tribute to the emergency services who arrived on the scene minutes after the accident, which left 24 people injured.

Angela, 59, who is a learning and development lecturer at West College Scotland, said: "The response from the emergency services was phenomenal. They made sure everyone was safe and attended to those injured. We can't thank them enough.

"Calmac and those working on the Waverley were great as well.

"After the crash happened you could tell people had been hurt. There was a lady beside me, she must have been in her late 80s. She was badly cut near her eye because her glasses had been smashed. I stayed with her while the first aiders attended to her while Steven went to helping other passengers who had been thrown to the deck.

"A few of the passengers were doctors and everyone pulled together.

"It wasn't until a while later I realised I was injured too. It must have been the adrenalin that had kicked in.

"I hurt my shoulder and Steven was actually on the quayside before he realised he had badly injured back and had to be put on a stretcher.

"We were taken to Lamlash Memorial Hospital for a check-up and Steven was put in a wheelchair as precaution."

The couple said all the stops were pulled out to get them to hospital with Calmac getting them back to mainland.

Angela said Greenock coach firm C&M were there in Ardrossan to take them home.

The couple had set sail on Thursday from Greenock Customhouse for a traditional day out.

Shocked Angela added: "We used to go every year.

"I have a milestone birthday coming up and we booked to go on. We were so looking forward to it.

"When we were going into Brodick it started to rain so we moved from where we were sitting between the two funnels and were suddenly thrown forward. There were people hurt all around us and we just did what we could to help."

Her son Michael Frizzell, who owns Nicolsons in Greenock, was desperate for news knowing his mum was on board.

He said: "I was just glad to hear from her and find out she was safe."

The Waverley collided with Brodick pier around 5pm as it went back into the port to pick up passengers, who had spent a few hours on the island.

An emergency response was immediately launched involving the police, fire services, HM Coastguard and the ambulance.

The Calmac departure lounge was opened up for the 200 passengers on board the ferry

The ferry operator also took action to help those on board the Waverley get safely back to mainland late at night.

A special sailing of the MV Caledonian Isles ferry was put on and left Brodick at 10.35pm with 138 passengers onboard.

CalMac stepped in following discussions between Transport Scotland, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and emergency services.

Managing director Robbie Drummond said: “We were shocked to hear of the situation in Brodick harbour involving the Waverley and were more than happy to help return passengers to the mainland and worked closely with agencies including Waverley Excursions, who transported everyone onwards once they landed in Ardrossan.

“I would like to extend my deep gratitude to the crew on the Caledonian Isles and at Brodick and Ardrossan for their willingness to help out."

HM Coastguard launched a search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick and two Helimed were sent, along with Arran coastguard rescue team.

A total of 213 passengers and 26 crew were onboard the Waverley, which had just recently been refurbished at a cost of £2.3 million after being out of action for two years.

A total of 24 people reported injuries and were treated on scene, at the hospital on Arran, or transported by helicopter to hospital on the mainland.

All emergency services had left the scene by 4am on Friday. The cause of the crash is still being investigated.