Montrose diver recovering from decompression sickness after weekend accident

An Angus diver has been recovering from decompression sickness following a dramatic sea rescue.

The Montrose man, believed to be in his 40s, was released from Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on Monday after several hours in a decompression chamber.

Disaster struck when the diver surfaced unconscious, after exploring a North Sea wreck around 12 miles south-east of Montrose.

He and three friends had chartered diving boat the Redbay Stormforce 10, from skipper Roddy James, who moors the lightweight vessel in Arbroath marina.

Ernst Struckmeier of Montrose Sub Aqua Club said the diver was not one of his members.

The incident took place at around 1.20pm on Sunday, when an RAF helicopter from Lossiemouth and Montrose Lifeboat were scrambled.

A coastguard spokesman said the diveboat’s skipper did “everything right.”

Rob Murray of Montrose Lifeboat confirmed they worked with the helicopter team to ensure the man was lifted without injury.

“He was certainly conscious when he was taken away by the helicopter,” he said.