Police confirm the names of fishermen missing after sinking tragedy

POLICE have confirmed the identity of the two men who died and the one man who remains missing, after a fishing boat sank off Mingulay in the Western Isles at the weekend.

Martin Johnstone, 29, from Halkirk in Caithness; and Chris Morrison, 27, from Stornoway on Lewis are believed to have tried to hold on to the crab boat Louisa’s life raft, which had failed to inflate properly, only to be overcome by hypothermia and eventually drowning. The life raft was empty when rescue workers found it.

Paul Allis ton( formerly MacMillan) aged 42, from the Lochs area of Lewis, who is reported locally as being the boat’s skipper, had tried to swim to shore along with the fourth crew member Lachlan Armstrong, 27, from Lewis, who made it to the rocks on Mingulay. He survived to be picked up by a lifeboat from Barra and was airlifted to hospital, but Mr Allis- ton was swept away and has not been found.

Their boat had been at anchor, and they were asleep in the early hours of Saturday morning, when it began sinking. The life raft was in the wheelhouse, and the crew managed to get it into the water.

But Mr Armstrong, who recently became a father, explained it did not offer the safety they desperately needed: “The water was so cold and the raft wasn’t keeping us dry as it never inflated.

“That’s why we weren’t out of the water. You know the only way you can survive is to get out of the water and get away.

“I made the choice to try to go for land. I didn’t know if I’d make it but I thought perhaps leaving the other two boys with the raft they’d have more of a chance to get on to it themselves.

“A lot went through my mind and when I did finally reach the rocks I was convinced the rest of them would be OK.

The incident is now under investigation by Police Scotland and the Marine Accident and Investigation Branch (MAIB). Their findings will be the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal.

Chief Inspector Gordon MacLeod, Area Commander for the Western Isles said: “Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the men who sadly lost their lives as a result of this tragic incident.

“Understandably, the families involved will seek answers and we hope by carrying out a thorough investigation with the MAIB we will understand the events which led to the vessel sinking and the loss of life.

“The dedication and professionalism displayed by local Coastguard and Lifeboat personnel throughout the incident is to be commended.”

The uninhabited island of Mingulay lies to the south of Barra and Vatersay.

The Isle of Barra’s lifeboat crew have continued to search for Mr Alliston and an appeal was issued asking for volunteers from the Uists and Eriskay to help.