Man dies after dinghy capsizes off Sanday in Orkney

One man has died and another is in hospital after their dinghy capsized off the island of Sanday in Orkney, Scotland on 4 September.

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Investigations are underway after a man died when the dinghy he was in capsized off the island of Sanday in Orkney.

The 54-year-old sailor was with another man when the incident happened at around 7.30pm on 4 September.

Both of them managed to make it to shore at Otters Wick in Sanday.

The Sanday Coastguard Rescue Team and a Coastguard helicopter based at Sumburg were scrambled to the scene.

Both the men were airlifted hospital.

The 54-year-old man was pronounced dead on arrival at Balfour Hospital.

The other man, aged 50, remains in hospital at Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick.

Police Scotland are investigation the incident and are appealing for anyone with information to contact them on 101.

Officers are also urging the public to take extra care when near water.

A spokesman from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “A 999 call was received by the UK Coastguard at 7.30pm yesterday evening ( 4 September) reporting that a dinghy had capsized and that two dinghy sailors had made it to shore at Otters Wick, Sanday, Orkney Islands.”

“Sanday Coastguard Rescue Team were sent to the scene and located and assessed the two dinghy sailors. The Coastguard helicopter based at Sumburgh was scrambled and airlifted the two men to hospital.”