No suspicious circumstances over ferry death
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POLICE have said there are no suspicious circumstances following the death of a 79-year-old man who became unwell while travelling on board the ferry from Gills to Orkney on Tuesday morning.
The 79-year-old man, who has not been named, was believed to have boarded the Pentalina at Gills Bay in the morning to travel to St Margaret's Hope.
He began to feel ill during the voyage and the captain made the decision to return to Caithness where an ambulance was waiting.
In a social media comment it was stated that a crew member had carried out CPR on the man.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Police Scotland was made aware of a 79-year-old man having taken unwell on board the ferry between St Margaret's Hope and Gills Bay during the morning of Tuesday, September 17.
"Sadly the man was pronounced dead a short time later. There are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course."
A Pentland Ferries post on Facebook stated that "due to unforeseen circumstances" the 5pm and 6.45pm sailings on Tuesday were cancelled.
It added: "We apologise for any inconvenience and thank all passengers for their patience."
