Dutch police are investigating a suspected stabbing on a container ship off the Western Isles.
A merchant seaman was allegedly knifed on the chest and arm and required an urgent airlift by a rescue helicopter.
The unnamed sailor – who is believed to be Russian – was winched off the MV Leah which was 82 miles off the north coast of Lewis in the Atlantic Ocean.
The 6,000 deadweight tonne freighter was on voyage between Rotterdam and Iceland when the alleged incident occurred.
The 32-year-old casualty arrive by helicopter at the helipad by the Western isles Hospital in Stornoway in the early hours of Saturday at round 3.10am.
He subsequently received treatment in the accident and emergency department.
The incident is now being investigated by police in the Netherlands
A spokesman for the coastguard in Stornoway said: “We received a request of medical advice and subsequent airlift from the vessel, Leah.
“A crew member was injured following an altercation with another crew member onboard.”
“He sustained injuries we believe were stab wounds.
“Stornoway coastguard helicopter winched him off the vessel and took him to the Stornoway hospital.”
The spokesman added: “At the time, the vessel was in international waters.
“Dutch marine police have been in touch with us and the vessel is heading to Iceland.”
Police Scotland has also been made aware of the incident because the man was taken to hospital in the Western Isles..
As the ship was in international waters at the time, the incident itself happened out of their jurisdiction.
The investigation will be led by Dutch police because the Leah is registered in the Netherlands.
The 328ft long cargo ship has since docked in the port of Straumsvik, a few miles south of the Icelandic capital Reykjavik.
The ship operates a regular cargo run between the Netherlands and Iceland.
No update on the man’s condition was available yesterday and Dutch police could not be contacted.