Marine accident teams are looking into an Angus harbour incident which resulted in a man being taken to hospital.
The fisherman had to be airlifted from the water at Montrose after going overboard from a trawler on Sunday at about 7.25pm.
The incident sparked a huge emergency response involving the Montrose RNLI, a UK Coastguard rescue team, a search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick and paramedics. Police were also made aware of the incident.
And on Monday afternoon the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) confirmed it is probing the circumstances surrounding the accident. The government agency has not yet launched an official investigation.
An MAIB spokesman said: “We are aware of the incident and are making initial inquiries.”
A decision on whether to investigate is expected in the coming days.
Two teams from the Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) have also been informed and are looking into the incident.
An MCA spokeswoman said: “At around 7.25pm yesterday (May 19), HM Coastguard received a 999 call from a fishing vessel reporting a man overboard in Montrose Harbour.
“Montrose Coastguard Rescue Team, Montrose RNLI lifeboats and the Prestwick coastguard helicopter were all sent to the scene.
“The man was quickly recovered from the water by his fishing crew and transferred onto the Montrose Lifeboat.
“He was then winched on-board the Coastguard helicopter and taken to Dundee Ninewells where he was transferred into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service.”
The man is said to have fallen from a trawler berthed at the harbour. His injuries are not yet known.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) spokeswoman said: “HSE is aware of the incident but understand it’s a matter for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, therefore we will not be making any further inquiries at this time.”
