SIC convener thanks emergency services after ‘tragic’ Sandness incident

SHETLAND Islands Council convener Andrea Manson says news that a woman died following an incident in Sandness on Sunday has come as a “shock to many”.

She said it was “tragic news”. A man has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Manson also sought to pay tribute to the emergency services who attended.

There are still emergency service crews at the scene this morning (Monday).

Manson said: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of the woman who has died, and with the whole community affected by this incident.

“I’d like to thank the emergency services – police, ambulance and coastguard – for their response.

“Shetland is generally a safe place to live and work and events like this are thankfully extremely rare.

“Police Scotland will carry out their investigation into the circumstances and it wouldn’t be appropriate to speculate further on this incident.”

Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart added: “First and foremost, my thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the deceased and I extend condolences to them.

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“This is a terrible event that has shocked the close-knit Sandness community and indeed wider Shetland.

“My thoughts are also with Police Scotland and other emergency services personnel who attended the scene.”

Late on Sunday night police confirmed a man had been arrested and was receiving treatment in hospital.

Officers said enquiries were ongoing, but that they were not looking for anyone else.

The call came into police shortly before 5pm on Sunday following reports of a disturbance.

The coastguard helicopter was also sent to Melby to assist at around 5.15pm following reports of a car in the water, before it returned to Sumburgh.

There has been no further update on the incident from police this morning.