AN ARBROATH lobster fisherman died in hospital last night after being dragged into the sea in a tragic accident.

It is understood the 52-year-old man, who has not been named, had been laying creels near the Bell Rock, off the Arbroath coastline, when he was pulled over the side of the two-man vessel Optik shortly after 1.20pm.

He was underwater for around five minutes before being pulled back on board his vessel by his shipmate and a crew member from the neighbouring creel boat Orianne, which had been working nearby at the time and had rushed to give aid.

Both Arbroath RNLI lifeboats and a Sea King helicopter from RAF Boulmer in Northumberland were immediately scrambled to assist the critically injured man.

The lifeboats were able to launch within minutes of the alert, in part because several volunteer crewmen were at the Arbroath station for a visit by pupils from Baldragon Academy in Dundee.

As the lifeboats and helicopter made for the scene, the vessel with the injured man on board was told to head back towards Arbroath while the fishermen administered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compression.

The faster inshore lifeboat Duncan Ferguson was first to reach the Optik and crewmen Andrew Spence and Neil Swankie went on board to assess the casualty and start giving oxygen and CPR.

They were joined by full-time RNLI mechanic Allan Russell and Peter Willis, who were transferred from the all-weather lifeboat Inchcape with additional oxygen and medical equipment, and the four crewmen continued to treat the casualty for around 40 minutes until the helicopter arrived.

After being transferred to the helicopter in heavy seas, the Sea King crew continued to administer CPR to the man during his short flight to Ninewells.

Sadly, despite the valiant efforts of the various rescue crews involved, the man died in Ninewells Hospital later that evening.

A police spokesperson last night said, “We can confirm that earlier this afternoon a 52-year-old male, while fishing in the vicinity of the Bell Rock Lighthouse, fell overboard into the water.

“His colleague immediately alerted nearby fishing boats who attended in the area to assist the male.

“The male was pulled aboard and with the assistance of the Coastguard he was subsequently airlifted to Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, where sadly he later died.

“The man’s next of kin have been informed, however details of his identity will not be released until a formal identification has taken place.

“The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) have been informed and they will be attending in Arbroath on Thursday to carry out an investigation into the circumstances of this tragic death,” he said. “As with all sudden deaths, a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”

Angus McIver, watch manager at Forth Coastguard, said, “Sea temperatures are generally around 10-12 degrees Celsius at this time of year and any immersion can be dangerous.

“Unfortunately, we understand this man was not wearing a lifejacket when he went into the water and we would urge all working fishermen to make sure their buoyancy aids are in date and in use.”