Man dies after diving accident in Outer Hebrides

A 44-YEAR-OLD man has died in hospital following a tragic diving accident in the Western Isles. He has been named locally as Iain Macleod, who stayed on Great Bernera, an island off the north-west coast of Lewis which is joined to the mainland by a narrow bridge.

Mr Macleod was pronounced dead after being airlifted to the Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway on Sunday after getting into difficulties while diving off the coast in the north of Great Bernera.

The accident happened in the Kyles of Bernera – a narrow sea strait that lies between Great Bernera and the small uninhabited island of Little Bernera.

The emergency services were called to the beach at Bosta on Great Bernera following the diving incident.

A spokesman for the local division of Police Scotland said: “About 5:30pm on Sunday, emergency services attended a diving accident at Bosta beach, Great Bernera, Isle of Lewis.

“A 44-year-old male was airlifted to Western Isles Hospital by Coastguard helicopter.”

The spokesman added: “Despite efforts by hospital staff, the male was later pronounced deceased.”

Mr Macleod is understood to be survived by his wife, Norma, who works for the Western Isles NHS board, and a teenage daughter.