Fisherman airlifted to hospital

A fisherman has been airlifted to hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack on a boat in the Minch.

His workmate onboard the two-man fishing vessel - which works out of Lochinver - did not know where their position.

The man radioed Stornoway coastguard to report his collague had collapsed, believing he had a cardiac arrest.

Stornoway coastguard helicopter and Lochinver RNLI lifeboat went to their aid and located the boat in the middle of the Minch.

In the meantime, the boat's gear caught on the bottom, stopping the boat dead in the water and losing steerage - a hazardous situation for getting a helicopter winchman onboard.

Instead, the rescue winchman was lowered to the RNLI lifeboat and was transferred onto the fishing boat along with two lifeboat men.

The casualty was winched onto the helicopter and - after his condition deteriorated during the short flight - taken directly to the accident and emergency department at the Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway at 2pm on Wednsday.

The lifeboat crew helped free the fishing boat’s nets and escorted it to Lochinver.

There is no word on the casualty’s condition.

Fisherman airlifted to hospital

19 August 2015