Ferry death

The incident happened at 8.20pm on Sunday 5 August, with prompt responses from the Aberdeen Coastguard and a RAF rescue helicopter, reported the Shetland News.

However, despite the crew of the NorthLink ferry MV Hjaltland launching a fast rescue craft and retrieving the man from the water, he was subsequently pronounced dead after an airlift to the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

A spokesman for Aberdeen Coastguard said it was unfortunate the man could not be saved since the emergency services had responded very quickly.

Investigations are ongoing by both Grampian Police and the Northern Constabulary. The man’s name has not yet been released.

NorthLink Ferries managing director, Stuart Garrett, said: “All of us here at NorthLink were saddened to be informed of the death of a man who fell overboard on the MV Hjaltland sailing from Aberdeen to Kirkwall and Lerwick. NorthLink is fully cooperating with Grampian Constabulary to assist their investigations.”