Diver dies following Scapa Flow rescue

A diver has died after getting into trouble in waters in the Scapa Flow area.

The alarm was raised just before 4pm yesterday afternoon, after a dive boat positioned to the North East of Cava Lighthouse, reported that one of their divers was 15 minutes overdue.

A coordinated search was launched with Stromness and Kirkwall Coastguard Rescue Teams, the RNLI Longhope Lifeboat and the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Sumburgh all taking part.

A Mayday relay broadcast was also put out by the Coastguard asking all vessels in the area to join the search.

At 5.30pm on Friday evening, Longhope RNLI lifeboat reported that they had recovered a diver from the water who was transferred to the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service and taken to Stromness.

Police Scotland have confirmed that the diver died and that the next of kin have been informed.