Tributes paid to fisherman who died after fall overboard
Tributes are pouring in for a local fisherman who died on Sunday after falling from his boat off the coast near Dunbar.
The 64-year-old fisherman, named locally as Peter Gray, fell from his creel boat into the sea on the afternoon of Sunday, May 2.
Following an extensive search by emergency services and local fishermen, Mr Gray was found and winched from the water by helicopter near Torness at around 5.50pm.
He was sadly pronounced dead when he arrived at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Following the sad news of his death, local labour councillor Norman Hampshire, said: “Peter fished out of the Cove harbour which is just a few miles along the coast from Dunbar, he’s been fishing there for what must be about 40 years now, so he’s
a really experienced fisherman.
“Obviously the fishing community here is very closeknit so all the local fishermen knew Peter, this is a real loss.
"I don't know exactly what happened but it's a real tragedy and it will have an impact on everyone connected to the industry in Dunbar.”
Mr Hampshire continued: "For his family and his friends, it's a tragedy and when these things happen it brings home how dangerous a job it is that these people do everyday.
"And a lot of them do operate their creel boats on their own, like Peter, and it's incredibly dangerous, and tragedy has happened here.
"Who knows what happened to Peter but once you're out of the boat the water is so cold and the chances of survival are really limited.
"It's just a tragedy.” Other people have taken to social media to share their condolences, with one person writing: “So sad, deepest condolences go out to the family, friends and the fishing community.”
Another said: “Heartbreaking! Our fisherman don’t get enough credit for the risks they take in the name of their trade.”
Someone else commented: “Saddened to be reading about this just now. We were outsaw the lifeboat. Thoughts go out to the family & friends.”