Fisherman dies after boat sinks off Shetland

A 40-year-old Shetland fisherman has died after his boat hit rocks and sank.

The coastguard received a mayday calling saying a vessel had hit rocks. Picture: TSPL

John Leonard Scollay, from Lerwick, Shetland, died after the Diamond fishing boat went down in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Shetland Coastguard received a mayday call from the vessel reporting that they had hit rocks and were going over at about 2.55am today.

A second man was recovered by the Aith RNLI lifeboat and is said to be in a stable condition.

Both men had been taken by Coastguard helicopter to the Gilbert Bain Hospital on Shetland.

The coastguard sent the coastguard rescue helicopter from Sumburgh and requested the launch of Aith RNLI lifeboat to the position which the crew had given in the west of Shetland at West Burrafirth.

Three fishing vessels in the area also went to the scene to help in response to an appeal from the coastguard.

A local vessel called Diana Maxwell recovered one man from the water.

A report on Mr Scollay’s death will be sent to the procurator fiscal.