Stricken student expected home

A Fife Merchant Navy cadet who was stranded among pirates in the Indian Ocean is rumoured to be due home this week.

David Gorniak, who comes from Springfield near Cupar, was stuck off the coast of Singapore with three other Scottish Merchant Navy cadets who are studying with Clyde Marine Training through Glasgow College.

They were left stranded on Hanjin Louisiana after the Hanjin Shipping Co went into receivership leaving ships adrift around the world.

The 27-year-old has been studying for two years and was spending five months with the firm as part of his course.

Along with Ruaridh Hanna, 22, from Inverness, Gavin McPhail, 21, from Paisley and another 25-year-old who asked not to be named, David was due to port in Sri Lanka at the beginning of September.

Now, there are unconfirmed reports that the Hanjin Louisiana is expected to dock today, with the four students expected back in Scotland tomorrow.

David’s brother, James, said the family had heard the news of the development, but that had yet to be confirmed.