Probe into death of ‘decent, hard-working’ creelman

An investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the death of a “hardworking family man” in a Western Isles sea loch.

The Marine Accident Investigation Board (MAIB) said it was investigating a “fatal man overboard” from the fisherman’s vessel in Benbecula, which took place on Wednesday.

The man has been named locally as 57-yearold experienced creelman Michael Monk, from Benbecula.

He was in the May C SY213, a Stornoway-registered creel boat.

An MAIB spokesman said: “Two of our inspectors travelled to Benbecula on Wednesday to start an investigation following a fatal man overboard accident from the fishing vessel May C.

“They are in the early stages of our investigation, gathering evidence and conducting interviews.”

Councillor Calum Macmillan, who knew Mr Monk, said: “He was a decent, hard-working family man, who was kind to his community.

“He will be missed. “We all hope never to go through such difficult times as these, but the people of the islands will pull together.

“I am glad for the family that Michael was returned to them and that there are no suspicious circumstances. Everyone is thinking of them.”

Witnesses raised the alarm after they saw Mr Monk’s boat aground on Loch Carnan on South Uist.

The body of Mr Monk was recovered from the loch shortly afterwards.