Man dies after falling from NorthLink ferry

A man, who fell overboard from the Hjaltland ferry, as she sailed from Aberdeen to Kirkwall last night, has died.

Aberdeen Coastguard was alerted, around 8.20pm, that the man was in the water north of Fraserburgh and a rescue helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth was sent to the scene.

The ferry crew launched a fast rescue craft and managed to pull the man from the water. He was airlifted and flown to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary but pronounced dead.

A police spokesman said that early indications were that there were no suspicious circumstances. Details of the man’s identity will not be released until next of kin have been informed.