Fisherman dies after falling overboard
A fishermen died after falling overboard from his Banff-registered vessel 20 miles west of the isles.
The crewman was picked up after a radio message from the Beryl to the coastguard service was heard by the stand-by vessel, Caledonian Victory, which was only five miles away.
She rushed to the scene after the incident happened at around 9.30 am on Tuesday to pick up the casualty. The fisherman was wearing a life-jacket but was prevented from getting back onboard the Beryl because of the sea-state.
The man was soon picked up by a so-called Autonomous Rescue and Recovery Craft, or ARRC, belonging to the Caledonian Victory within 15 minutes. The ARRC’s are highly equiped with modern, up-to-date, medical equipment.
The rescue helicopter was dispatched and picked up the crewman, before taking him to the Lerwick landing site at the Clickimin at around 11.25am. The casualty was then transferred to the Gilbert Bain Hospital for treatment, but died later.
Haydn Gear
Much sympathy to the deceased fisherman’s family. When people buy their fish and chips, I wonder how many of them give any thought to the fact that brave men put their lives on the line to bring in the catch. Some may do so especially in a place like Shetland. It’s a sad day and the tragedy of loss is in my mind and in the minds of others here in south Wales where a catalogue of untimely death is part of our heritage eg Aberfan.