Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

"Iona" makes an emergency sailing from Brodick to Ardrossan

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 28th January 1972

EMERGENCY FERRY SAILING

A 14-year old Arran boy received treatment in Canniesburn Hospital, Glasgow, on Monday after he suffered severe facial injuries when a home-made gun exploded in his face.

The boy, Colin Masson, of The Towers, Dougarie, was rushed to the mainland on Sunday evening by a special emergency sailing of the car ferry "Iona" from Brodick to Ardrossan, and was then taken by ambulance to Glasgow Royal Infirmary before being transferred to Canniesburn.

A spokesman for Bute County Police said that on Sunday afternoon Colin had been in a yard at his home and was making a gun from a tube bound to a wooden stock. He inserted metal and gunpowder into the tube and lit it.
The tube exploded in his face and a piece of metal pierced his cheek. His teeth were also shattered and he had other facial lacerations.
Yesterday Colin's condition was described as "comfortable."