An eyewitness has revealed how he raised the alarm after a tugboat capsized off East India Harbour.

Two people were on board the boat which appears to have been pulling the Hebridean Princess on the River Clyde.

Danny McBride told the Glasgow Times that he raised alarm with the coastguard after witnessing the "rear-most tug" overturning around 3.25pm.

Glasgow Times:

He said: “About 3.25 the Hebridean princess was being escorted by two tugs upstream past Greenock. I witnessed the rear-most tug being pulled over.

"It capsized. The hull then was visible in the water.

"I rang the coastguard. After about 12 minutes the first boat arrived then further boats."

"They were banging on the hull unfortunately after about half an hour the tug sank.”

The coastguard confirmed that two people were onboard the tugboat and a major rescue operation is underway.

Helensburgh RNLI lifeboat, several police launch boats and rescue crafts from vessels in the area went to the scene when the alarm was raised at around 3.30pm on Friday.

The coastguard rescue helicopter and coastguard rescue teams were also at the scene.

Glasgow Times:

The coastguard said there were two people on board the vessel when it capsized.

Police have cordoned off the area near Custom House Quay in the Inverclyde town.

A coastguard spokesman said: “HM Coastguard is currently responding to reports of a capsized vessel at Custom House Quay in Greenock, February 24.

“Just before 3.30pm Coastguard Rescue Teams from Helensburgh and Greenock, a lifeboat from Helensburgh and the Coastguard helicopter from Prestwick were sent to assist and are searching the area. Police Scotland is also in attendance.”