Injured fisherman returns to work
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A FISHERMAN who was feared to have suffered serious injury when he was involved in an accident while at sea is understood to have gone back to work.
It was believed the Lithuanian, who has not been identified, had broken his back or hip aboard the Wick-registered Boy Shane on Saturday.
But, after being checked over by medical staff at Caithness General Hospital in Wick, it emerged he had endured heavy muscle damage and was released on Saturday evening.
The accident was reported to the coastguard at 2pm when crew members contacted the emergency services reporting the man had suffered a knock while sailing in force-six conditions at sea.
The coastguard contacted Thurso RNLI to escort the fishing boat to Scrabster Harbour and to allow it to dock at its pontoon to provide easy access for ambulance services to treat the patient.
Thurso RNLI crew member Andy Pearson said it was first feared the Lithuanian had suffered a broken back as a result of the accident.
“We received a call from the coastguard services to move The Taylors out of our pontoon to allow the Boy Shane to transport the injured patient on to the quay,” he said.
“It was suspected that the man had broken either his hip or back when he was knocked into the side of ship.
“However, we were told later on that he had suffered heavy muscle damage to that area of his body but nothing had been broken.
“The boat arrived at Scrabster at 2.30pm and we moved alongside the boat to escort it to the pontoon in rough sea conditions.
“There were talks about going out to sea to collect the patient but, due to the conditions, it was advised that it would be better for the fishing boat to sail into port.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service confirmed it was called out to Scrabster Harbour to transfer a patient to the accident-and-emergency department at Caithness General but was unable to confirm his current condition.
Fishermen’s Mission superintendent Colin Mackay went along to the hospital to meet the injured patient and the boat’s skipper, Dougie Adams.
He said after receiving a check-up the patient was given the all clear to return home.
“The accident occurred as a result of heavy weather on Saturday which, unfortunately, can happen while out at sea,” he said. “All I know is that he did go to accident and emergency but he wasn’t admitted when he arrived.
“Translators arrived at the hospital to explain the situation to both parties.
“He was released on Saturday night and then went back to the hospital again on Sunday to have another check-up but was deemed fit.”
No-one on board the Boy Shane was available for comment as the crew returned to sea on Monday.
