HELICOPTER AIRLIFT STABBED CREWMAN

Stornoway Coastguard contacted the Northern Constbulary in the early hours of 18 July 2001 to report that they were responding to a call for assistance to an injured crewmember aboard a Spanish registered fishing vessel, 60 miles west of the Butt of Lewis.

Coastguard informed the police that a Moroccan aged 24 had received a stab wound to his back, following an incident aboard the vessel. The injured man was transferred to the Western Isles Hospital by helicopter where he was being detained for his injuries. His condition was described as serious but stable.

The Spanish fishing vessel with 14 crew aboard, was requested to berth at Stornoway Harbour to allow police enquiries to be carried out into the alledged incident.