A civilian has died aboard a Royal Navy warship 150 miles west of the Outer Hebrides.
A rescue helicopter flew out into the Atlantic early today only to find it was too late.
Stornoway Coastguard search and rescue helicopter was tasked just before midnight by the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre to fly to HMS Somerset, a Type 23 frigate.
A spokeswoman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said that when the Sikorsky S92 helicopter, operated by Bristow, arrived on scene it was found that the man was dead.
The helicopter returned to base at 3am after the 300 mile round trip. The dead man has not yet been named.
A spokesman for the Royal Navy said: “We can confirm that a civilian contractor has died on board and next of kin have been informed. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends.”
