A passenger ferry carrying 100 people ran aground on Scotland's gale-lashed west coast on Saturday, and officials said tug boats would not be able to reach the stricken ship until Sunday because of the weather. None of the passengers or crew were injured when the P & O Highlander hit a sandbank at Cairnryan. "It's far safer to keep the passengers on board," P&O Irish Sea Managing Director Terry Cairns told BBC television as gales of up to 120 miles (195 km) an hour and heavy rain battered many parts of Britain. "We had a bit of a struggle to find two tugs, but we've got them now. They'll be on their way at midnight," he said. Britain's Environment Agency issued 84 flood warnings across the country, accidents forced the closure of sections of three major motorways and the Highways Agency urged people not to drive unless it was absolutely necessary. One motorway was closed after 25 trucks were blown over by the strong winds, the agency said.
