News / Man dies after falling overboard NorthLink ferry
A man has died after falling overboard from the ferry Hjaltland while on her way from Aberdeen to Orkney and Shetland.
Aberdeen Coastguard was alerted to the incident 30 miles off Fraserburgh at 8.20pm on Sunday evening and instantly scrambled the RAF rescue helicopter 137 from Lossiemouth.
The crew of the NorthLink ferry launched the fast rescue craft and were able to retrieve the man from the water.
He was then airlifted to the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary but was pronounced dead.
Grampian Police with assistance of Northern Constabulary are investigating the circamstances of the death. The man’s name has not been released yet.
A spokesman for Aberdeen Coastguard said it was unfortunate the man could not be saved since the emergency services had responded very quickly.
NorthLink Ferries managing director Stuart Garrett said: “All of us here at NorthLink were saddened to be informed of the death of a man who fell overboard on the MV Hjaltland sailing from Aberdeen to Kirkwall and Lerwick last night.
“NorthLink is fully co-operating with Grampian Constabulary to assist their investigations.”
The Hjaltland continued her journey and arrived in Lerwick at 7.50am on Monday morning, just 20 minutes behind schedule.
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