Lifeboat man taken to GBH

A CREW member of the Kirkwall lifeboat was taken to the Gilbert Bain Hospital for medical checks after falling into the water off Orkney yesterday.

Kirkwall lifeboat was tasked to assist the small yacht Globelle, drifting off Eday in worsening weather conditions, on Sunday afternoon.

The yacht with two crew on board was initially taken under tow bound for Kirkwall.

However, when the tow line parted two crew members of the lifeboat were thrown into the water while trying to re-attach the line. They were quickly recovered.

At this stage Stromness lifeboat and the Sumburgh-based coastguard search and rescue helicopter were called out to assist.

One of the two men who had fallen into the water was then flown north to Shetland for a medical check-up after if became clear that the Balfour Hospital in Kirkwall was too busy.

The helicopter arrived back at the Clickimin landing site at 10.40pm.