A FISHERMAN died yesterday after his scallop boat hit rocks and capsized off Shetland.
John Leonard Scollay was pulled from the icy North Sea by the crew of a trawler who performed CPR on him before he was airlifted to hospital. His workmate Chris Smith also landed in the water when the Diamond sank – but his survival suit saved his life.
Mr Scollay – known locally as Leonard – was found in the dark by the crew of the fishing boat the Diane Maxwell. He was pulled on board then transferred to West Burrafirth pier with Mr Smith, who was plucked out of the water by the crew of the Aith lifeboat.
Both men were flown to the Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick by a coastguard helicopter. Mr Scollay, 40, was pronounced dead. Mr Smith was in a stable condition last night.
The sinking drama started in the early hours yesterday.
The Diamond issued a mayday shortly before 3am, alerting Shetland Coastguard that the boat was sinking after hitting rocks on the approach to West Burrafirth pier on the west side of the mainland.
Coastguards said there was no further radio contact from the vessel.
Aith lifeboat and the Sumburgh-based coastguard rescue helicopter were both sent to the scene.
Shetland Coastguard also issued a radio alert to three fishing boats in the area and the Diane Maxwell was the first to reach the scene.
Her crew were praised yesterday for finding Mr Scollay, of Lerwick, in difficult conditions at night and pulling him from the sea.
Rescuers said last night that Mr Smith was “lucky to be alive” after spending 30 minutes in the water.
Coxswain of the Aith lifeboat, Hylton Henry, said: “Amazingly, the crew of the Diane Maxwell found the first casualty.
“He had no survival gear on and was dressed in dark clothing. They did a very good job in finding him.”
He added: “We got paged at two minutes to three and were out within seven minutes. It took us about 20 minutes to get around to West Burrafirth. So they were in the water for about 30 minutes.”
A coastguard spokeswoman said the crew of the Diane Maxwell administered CPR on Mr Scollay, while Mr Smith was wrapped in blankets to warm him up.
Residents in Shetland were left shocked by news of the tragedy.
Convener of Shetland Islands Council, Councillor Malcolm Bell, said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the two families involved.
“Sadly, tragedies such as this are not unusual but it does not make it any easier when it does happen.”
A police spokesman said a report would be submitted to the procurator fiscal.
He added: “At approximately 3.26 this morning, police in Shetland were notified by Shetland Coastguard that a mayday had been received from a fishing vessel in the vicinity of West Burrafirth, having struck rocks. A local fishing vessel, the Diane Maxwell, was nearby and responded.
“The Aith lifeboat was scrambled to the scene as was the coastguard helicopter. Crew on the Diane Maxwell pulled one fisherman from the water, with the Aith lifeboat pulling a second fisherman from the water.
“Both fishermen were taken to the pier at West Burrafirth. The casualties were then taken by the coastguard helicopter to Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick.”