Cargo Ship Crashes into Front Garden: Ukrainian Officer Charged
A dramatic incident unfolded in Norway on Thursday when a 135m-long cargo ship ran aground in a front garden, narrowly missing a house where the homeowner was sleeping indoors. According to reports from Sky News, a Ukrainian man in his 30s, who was serving as second officer aboard the vessel, has been charged with negligent navigation.
Remarkable pictures of the incident showed just how close the vessel came to crashing into Johan Helberg’s house near Trondheim, Norway. The homeowner was asleep indoors at the time of the incident, and fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the crash. The ship, which had 16 people on board, was travelling through the area when the second officer, who was on watch at the time, allegedly fell asleep while on duty alone.
"The individual charged was the officer on watch at the time of the incident," said a police statement, as reported by Sky News. "During questioning, he stated that he fell asleep while on duty alone, which led to the vessel running aground." The officer was one of 16 people on the ship, and police launched an investigation into the incident immediately after.
Police are continuing to investigate whether rules regarding working and resting hours were adhered to on the ship. The incident has raised concerns about safety protocols on cargo vessels, and authorities are working to determine whether any regulations were breached. The Ukrainian officer has been charged with negligent navigation, and police are working to gather more evidence.
The vessel is currently stuck in the front garden, and authorities are working on relocating it. The homeowner, Johan Helberg, was understandably shaken by the incident, but fortunately, he was not injured. The incident has caused significant disruption to the area, and local residents are likely to be concerned about the safety of the waterways.
Sky News reports that police are working to conclude their investigation and determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident. The charge of negligent navigation carries significant penalties, and the Ukrainian officer could face serious consequences if found guilty. As the investigation continues, it is clear that this was a serious incident that could have had far more severe consequences.
In a statement, Sky News confirmed that "police are continuing to investigate the incident and are working to determine the full circumstances surrounding the crash." The news provider also reported that "no injuries were reported as a result of the crash, and authorities are working on relocating the vessel." With the investigation ongoing, it remains to be seen what further action will be taken.
Source: Sky News
