One Dead after Missing Trawler Search
A fisherman has died and two others remain missing after a trawler went astray off the north-east coast of England.
A search and rescue operation was launched for skipper and crew of the vessel, called Ocean Way, after it ran into problems off the Northumberland coast.
The person who died was one of three winched from the water and airlifted to hospital. Two more crew members are still missing and the search for them continues.
According to reports the skipper is British while the four crew were Filipino.
An RAF rescue helicopter and Humber Coastguard are still searching for the remaining two crew members.
The vessel was last heard from about 100 miles east of the Farne Islands. It began transmitting an emergency beacon earlier on Sunday – but attempts to contact the skipper were unsuccessful.
Helicopters from the UK and Norway were involved in the hunt.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said, “Three people were recovered from the water this afternoon. Sadly one of these has subsequently died. An RAF search and rescue helicopter is continuing to search for the other two.”
Mike Puplett, the Humber Coastguard watch manager, said, “We will continue searching as long as necessary.”
Scotland’s Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead said, “This is a terrible tragedy and my thoughts are with the loved ones and friends of the crew. This tragedy will be felt by all fishing communities and is a horrible reminder of the dangers our fishermen face, day in day out, to bring fish to our tables with many paying the ultimate sacrifice. I would like to pay tribute to all the personnel involved in the rescue operation.”
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