CREWMAN AIRLIFTED TO HOSPITAL FROM TANKER OFF WHITBY

A crewman has been airlifted to hospital after a fire on board a tanker approximately six nautical miles north east of Whitby.

Humber Coastguard was contacted by the tanker just after 12.30pm this lunchtime reporting that they were dealing with a fire in the engine room.

A mayday relay was broadcast via Channel 16, and two vessels in the area at the time responded and went to the scene. The RNLI lifeboats from Whitby and Scarborough were also tasked, along with the search and rescue helicopter from RAF Leconfield.

The injured crewman, one of 17 on board, was winched on to the helicopter and flown to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

The fire is now out. Arrangements are currently being made to bring the tanker, which has no cargo on board, into port.

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