MAN OVERBOARD OFF THE SOUND OF JURA

A crew member that fell overboard from a landing craft when it was anchoring off the Sound of Jura this evening has been airlifted to hospital.

Clyde Coastguard were alerted to the incident at 19.25 by a 999 call from one of the owners of the vessel, who reported that a crew member from the landing craft, the ‘Forth Guardsman’ had fallen overboard when anchoring the vessel, and had been trapped between the anchor cable and the vessel and sustained injuries.

Clyde Coastguard sent Rescue 177 helicopter from HMS Gannet, the Islay Lifeboat and the Port Charlotte Coastguard Rescue Team to the scene.  Two other vessels that were in proximity to the Forth Guardsman also proceeded.  The casualty was recovered by the vessel’s rescue boat and subsequently transferred into the lifeboat at 20.13 before being airlifted into the helicopter to Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock.

Clyde Coastguard Watch Manager Tarik Yassin said:

“The crew member had been assisting with anchoring the vessel just south of the Sound of Jura when he fell overboard.  A Royal Navy Helicopter, lifeboat and Coastguard Team proceeded to his rescue and he was transferred by helicopter to hospital at 20.15.”

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