Nine French fishermen were airlifted to safety after their fishing vessel ran aground off the Western Isles on 12 February 2001.

Stornoway coastguard says the 'Jacques Abry' was holed when it struck the east coast of North Uist.

A coastguard helicopter was scrambled and airlifted five of the crew, none of whom were injured, to Benbecula as the vessel began taking in water.

The remaining four crew were taken off the boat as conditions on board worsened.

The coastguard was alerted by the French Rescue Centre ETEL, which sent news of the 268-ton vessel's plight to Falmouth coastguard.

Engineers were working to remove 83,000 litres of red diesel fuel from the hold to prevent it spilling into the water, a coastguard spokesman said.