A father-of-three who died following a freak accident involving overhead power lines in Orkney was described as “one in a million” last night.
Creel fisherman Cliff Cooper, 32, was with a close family friend moving a shed at St Mary’s village on the island of Holm with a large forklift when the tragedy happened.
His partner Vanessa Skea, 30, and mother of their three children, described him as “one in a million”, adding: “We are absolutely devastated. It is like someone has torn my heart out.”
Mr Cooper was standing next to the telehandler vehicle and is believed to have been touching the vehicle when the jib of the forklift touched overhead electricity cables and he was electrocuted.
His friend, who was driving the machine, was not injured in the accident, which happened at around 1.20pm on Sunday.
Miss Skea said: “It is too hard to speak about it.
“He was such a workaholic and would bend over backwards for anyone. He has been fishing his whole live and had his own boat, the Murray V after our son and myself.”
She added that it has been so difficult to explain the tragedy to their three children, Murray, 9, Codie, 4, and two-year-old Teghan, adding: “I have told them that he is the brightest star in the sky.”
Mr Cooper is also survived by his mother, two brothers and a sister.
A close friend of Mr Cooper, who did not wish to be named, said: “This is such a tragedy. I can’t believe he has died in such a freak accident.
“The pair of them were moving a shed with the loader and he must have been touching the vehicle when it hit the power lines and zapped it.
“It is remarkable the driver was not hurt.”
The friend added: “Cliff was a really nice person. He was a quiet living person who doted on his three kids and partner Vanessa.
“He will be a great miss to the community.”
East Mainland, South Ronaldsay and Burray Councillor Andrew Drever said: “It is absolutely tragic and my condolences go to his family.
“This was a young man who has lost his life in terrible circumstances and has left behind a partner and young family.
“In instances like this communities rally together to support those left behind.”
A police spokesman said: “Officers along with personnel from other agencies were called to St Mary’s village on Sunday after a report of an accident involving overhead power lines.
“There are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
A spokesman for SSEN said: “Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks can confirm it attended an incident in the Holm area of Orkney on Sunday afternoon involving a member of the public who received fatal injuries whilst working close to a high voltage power line.
“SSEN is assisting the relevant authorities with the investigation.”
The Health and Safety Executive was not called in to investigate as the death was not in connection with a work activity and therefore does not fall within HSE’s remit.