Diver dies after Scapa Flow accident

A diver has died following an accident in Scapa Flow in Orkney.

The 53-year-old man, who has not been named, was exploring the wreck of the World War One German battleship Markgraf when he experienced problems.

Two coastguard teams took him ashore but he died before reaching hospital.

The battleship lies in 45 metres of water and is one of the most popular sports diving sites in Scapa Flow. This is the second diver fatality in the area in less than two weeks.

A Coastguard spokesman said: "We had teams from Kirkwall and Stromness who were tasked to assist. We were called just after 9am."

Police Scotland said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the man's death and a report would be submitted to the procurator fiscal.

In the previous incident on 6 October, a boat north east of Cava Lighthouse reported one of its divers 15 minutes overdue.

A mayday was issued to all nearby vessels and the man's body was later recovered from the water.