Emergency services / Man dies after falling overboard from fishing boat
A MAN has died after going overboard from local whitefish trawler Copious 30 miles south east of Sumburgh in the early hours of the morning (Thursday).
The Sumburgh based search and rescue helicopter and the Lerwick lifeboat were both tasked to rescue the man after the alarm was raised at 3.20am. The lifeboat was stood down before reaching the scene of the accident.
The man was taken to the Clickimin landing site before being transferred to the Gilbert Bain Hospital.
However, a Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed that the man died following the incident.
“Officers were made aware around 4am on Thursday, 18 February, 2021, of a man having gone overboard while the vessel was approximately 30 nautical miles south east of Shetland,” they said.
“A body was recovered from the water with the assistance of a HM Coastguard helicopter. All other crew members were uninjured.
“We are working with the Marine Accident Investigation Branch to establish the full circumstances. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in due course.”
Shetland Fishermen’s Association said: “All our thoughts with the bereaved family and the crew of the Copious after this morning’s terrible accident at sea.”
Isles MP Alistair Carmichael added: “This is a tragedy that will be felt keenly throughout the whole community in Shetland. Our thoughts and condolences go to his family, friends and neighbours.
“It is also a tragic reminder that fishermen do a dangerous job to put food on our table. We must always ask what we can do to make their job as safe as possible.”
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