Two more oil workers airlifted to Lerwick
Jim TaitThe coastguard helicopter was called out twice yesterday afternoon to take injured oil workers to hospital in Lerwick.
The first call came at 1pm when the rescue aircraft 102 was tasked to go to the Ninian North platform, 102 miles north-east of Sumburgh.
A man was airlifted and landed at Clickimin at 3.15pm, from where he was taken by ambulance to the Gilbert Bain Hospital.
While the aircraft was on the landing site a second call was received by the coastguard, this time requesting that a sick man be airlifted from the Foinaven floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit, 93 miles west-north-west of Sumburgh.
The helicopter proceeded straight to the FPSO, collected the man and landed him back at Clickimin at 5.10pm. Again he was taken to the Gilbert Bain by ambulance.
During both incidents the Clickimin South pitches were being used by young footballers, some of whom are currently in training for forthcoming trips to the Loch Lomond Football Festival.
Controversy has arisen recently over the plan for a new emergency landing site in the middle of the two juvenile pitches, to replace the current site which will be lost if and when the new Anderson High School is built at Clickimin.
Shetland Football Association president Eric Graham has termed the proposed site “inappropriate”, calling for it to be based in a more “neutral” area in Lerwick.
Sports stalwart Jim Peterson agreed, urging that people should do “everything in their power” to stop the helipad move.
Sandy McMillan
The Residents of South Lochside Lerwick, and surrounding areas totally agree with Jim Peterson, Peter Malcomson, from the SFP, (Shetland Football Partnership)
If the Planning Department SIC, Had an ounce of sense between them, they would know how to sort out this predicament they find them self’s in with the Residents and the Football Association. And various others that use the parks, Footpaths for Walking areas which are Rights of way in the Clickimin area.
Firstly the SIC planning do not seem to be taken the residents application of Objection to the construction of a Helipad across the road on South Lochside no more than 180ft.from Residents and the General public very seriously, They have asked now for a second objection,
The easiest and simlest way forward is to put the School back to its original location,
After all there has not been a turf turned, maybe they are having second thoughts of the location because of Rubbish Dump and the consequences that may follow now and in the future, for those that don’t know the Dump stretch from Tescos Round- about to in line with Anderson Road, The area from Anderson road and North to Bruce Crescent, and Burgess Street is the non contaminated area and the ideal situation for the School and Hostel, as per original planned site
This would let the Planning Department leave the Helipad and the Caravan sites in situ, also the designated green belt to the South of the Clickimin Leisure Centre would not have to be touched, and leave all involved in a better frame of mind