Coastguard helicopter called out twice

The Sumburgh-based coastguard helicopter was in action twice in the past 24 hours, first to take a patient to Aberdeen and then to search for a missing diver off Unst.

The first call-out came early yesterday evening when the ambulance services requested the assistance of the helicopter to take a sick patient from the Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

The helicopter landed on the Clickimin South football pitch at around 6.30pm, delaying the start of the Manson Cup final (see separate report) as the aircraft had to shut down while a paramedic went to the Gilbert Bain to brief the patient.

The patient was then taken by ambulance to the pitch, transferred to the helicopter, and immediately flown to Aberdeen.

The second call-out came at 8.50 am today when a diver was reported missing south-west of Uyea isle off Unst.

The helicopter was scrambled and headed north but the diver was found safe and well and taken to the jetty at Uyeasound to be checked over by medical people.