Diver dies following incident in Stornoway harbour

A man has died following an incident in Stornoway harbour.

The 38-year-old was working as a diver off the site of the new deep water port.

Stornoway RNLI lifeboat launched to the position when the alarm was raised at 6.20pm yesterday evening (Wednesday) and took the casualty onboard.

He was transferred to Scottish Ambulance Service personnel at the pier.

Police Scotland said the man was pronounced dead while being taken to the local hospital.

A Police spokesperson said: “A 38-year-old male diver was taken to Western Isles Hospital, however he was pronounced dead en route to hospital.

“No-one else was injured.”

The spokesperson added: “The death is being treated as unexplained and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

“The Health and Safety Executive has been informed and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course.”

The man was employed by a sub-contractor for McLaughlin and Harvey, the civil engineering firm under the port development works on behalf of Stornoway Port Authority.

A spokesperson for the Stornoway Port Authority said: “We can confirm there was an incident in the harbour on the evening of Wednesday, August 31, resulting in the fatality of one of the sub-contractors working with McLaughlin and Harvey.

“Our thoughts are with his family and colleagues, and we will work with our contractor to support them at this extremely sad time.

“The port authority will be working closely with our contractors and the relevant authorities to carry out a full investigation.”

A spokesperson for McLaughlin and Harvey said: "Our condolences are with their family and colleagues and we are working to provide support to them.”

The company said an investigation is under way.

Diver dies following incident in Stornoway harbour

1 September 2022