A crew member of a boat docked at an Easter Ross harbour has died after being involved in an industrial accident involving a forklift.
Emergency services were called to the incident on the quayside at the newest section of the service base at Invergordon, at about 8.30am yesterday.
It is understood that the crewman, who is not a UK national and is thought to be from the Phillipines, became trapped underneath the forklift.
The 25,378-tonne Deep Energy pipe-layer vessel, operated by the energy engineering and construction firm Technip, was built in 2013 and is one of the largest such vessels ever built.
It is understood that the crewman may have been using the forklift to transport a container prior to the accident.
A local photographer captured the scene yesterday, where emergency services and health and safety could be seen gathered around a large blue container on the quayside.
A police spokeswoman said: “Police were called to Cromarty Firth Port Authority, Invergordon, this morning after receiving a report of an industrial accident involving a forklift.
“Sadly, one man has died as a result of the injuries he sustained.
“A full investigation has been launched as a result of the incident and partner agencies are working closely to assist the police in their inquiry.”
A Technip spokeswoman said: “It is with deep regret we confirm that, as a result of an incident on quayside at Invergordon this morning (Fri), a crew man from Technip operated vessel, Deep Energy, has died.
“Emergency services attended the scene and an investigation into the circumstances of the incident is in progress. Relatives of the crew member have been informed and the company is offering support to family, colleagues and friends.”
Martin Brayshaw, managing director of the Port of Cromarty Firth Services, said: “We can confirm there was an incident at the Port service base this morning. The relevant authorities have been in attendance and we are assisting fully with their investigations.”
A HSE spokesman said: “We are aware of the incident and are liasing with Police Scotland.”