Fisherman dies after falling from trawler

A FISHERMAN has died after falling overboard.

A mayday call was raised at 3.20am yesterday from a trawler, Copious, while it was around 30 nautical miles south-east of Sumburgh Head, Shetland.

The Shetland Coastguard rescue helicopter and Lerwick lifeboat attended the scene, as did other vessels in the area.

The man was flown ashore before being taken to Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick, but he was later pronounced dead. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is investigating.

Yesterday, the Shetland Fishermen’s Association said: ‘All our thoughts are with the bereaved family and crew of the Copious.’

Aubrey Jamieson, of the Fishermen’s Mission charity, told the Shetland Times: ‘We’re trying to support the crew as best we can.’

‘Tragedy will be keenly felt’

Isles MP Alistair Carmichael said: ‘This is a tragedy that will be felt keenly throughout the whole community. Our thoughts and condolences go to his family, friends and neighbours.

‘It is also a tragic reminder that fishermen do a dangerous job to put food on our table.

‘We must always ask what we can do to make their job as safe as possible.’

The St Andrews Inshore Fishermen’s Association said its ‘thoughts are with the families concerned’.

Messages of condolence were also posted on social media.

Several people responded to the tragedy on social media. One said: ‘Thinking about the family at this sad time and all the emergency services involved.’

Police Scotland said it was working with the MAIB and that no other crew had been injured.

A spokesman added that a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course.