An offshore worker has died at a North Sea platform.
The man was part of a team carrying out routine maintenance on BP’s Unity platform when the incident happened shortly after 4am today.
The worker, who was employed by the industrial services firm Cape, reportedly fell from the installation, which lies 97 miles off the coast of Aberdeen.
His relatives have been told and his colleagues are said to be shocked and saddened by what has happened.
BP confirmed a special phoneline has been set up for any relatives’ inquiries.
A spokeswoman for the man’s employers said: “It is with deep regret that Cape confirms the death of an employee following an incident this morning.
“The deceased was part of a Cape team carrying out routine maintenance onboard BP’s Unity platform. Our thoughts go out to his family, to whom we will be offering every support.
“The deceased’s co-workers are obviously shocked and saddened and we are working alongside BP to ensure they receive the support they need.”
Few details of the incident are known at this stage, but Cape said it would work closely with BP, police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on a thorough investigation.
The man’s age is not yet known and no other personal details have been released.
A BP spokeswoman said: “BP is deeply saddened to confirm that an offshore worker has died following an incident on the Unity platform. The next of kin have been informed.
“BP is working with Police Scotland, the HSE, Cape and other relevant organisations to support those affected and ensure that the incident is fully investigated.
“The company extends its deepest sympathies to the deceased’s family and employers and will provide them with every support it can.”
Aberdeen Coastguard confirmed it co-ordinated a search and rescue operation in relation to the incident.
Police Scotland said inquiries were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the death and the HSE said it was liaising with police.
The platform is within the Forties pipeline system.
The death comes around six months after an oil worker died after falling from an offshore platform into the North Sea.
George Bartlett, 62, from Shotts, North Lanarkshire, fell during maintenance work on the Taqa-operated Harding platform, about 198 miles north east of Aberdeen, on February 27.
RMT regional organiser Jake Molloy said it was difficult to comment on the latest incident when details of what happened are not clear. All that is known is that the person had gone in the water at around 4am, he said.
Mr Molloy said: “It’s coming so soon after the Harding when another man ended up in the water in the early hours of the morning so there’s obvious questions about how he came to be there.”
The phoneline can be contacted on 0808 1000 333.
Recommended for you
