This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/north_east/6139612.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Two killed as wave strikes tanker Two killed as wave strikes tanker
(about 1 hour later)
Two men have died and a third has been airlifted to hospital after being hit by a huge wave on an oil tanker in the Pentland Firth.Two men have died and a third has been airlifted to hospital after being hit by a huge wave on an oil tanker in the Pentland Firth.
The incident happened after the tanker left Scapa Flow, Orkney, heading for Houston in Texas in what were described as "horrendous" weather conditions.The incident happened after the tanker left Scapa Flow, Orkney, heading for Houston in Texas in what were described as "horrendous" weather conditions.
The wave struck the men as they stood on the deck of the FR8 Venture, which turned back after the incident.The wave struck the men as they stood on the deck of the FR8 Venture, which turned back after the incident.
The third man was in a serious condition in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.The third man was in a serious condition in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
The alarm was raised at 1240 GMT on Saturday when the Singapore-registered tanker contacted Shetland Coastguard to report that three crewmen had been injured.The alarm was raised at 1240 GMT on Saturday when the Singapore-registered tanker contacted Shetland Coastguard to report that three crewmen had been injured.
Winched on boardWinched on board
A coastguard rescue helicopter from Stornoway was scrambled to assist and Longhope RNLI lifeboat was launched with a doctor on board.A coastguard rescue helicopter from Stornoway was scrambled to assist and Longhope RNLI lifeboat was launched with a doctor on board.
The doctor was winched on board the vessel, but found that two of the crew had died.The doctor was winched on board the vessel, but found that two of the crew had died.
The third was taken to hospital in the coastguard helicopter.The third was taken to hospital in the coastguard helicopter.
The coastguard said the tanker had entered the Pentland Firth when the wave came over the bow of the tanker.The coastguard said the tanker had entered the Pentland Firth when the wave came over the bow of the tanker.
A coastguard helicopter was scrambled
Neil Cummins, watch manager at Shetland Coastguard, said conditions at the time had been "horrendous".Neil Cummins, watch manager at Shetland Coastguard, said conditions at the time had been "horrendous".
"There were westerly winds of force eight to force 10, that's somewhere around 60mph, very heavy seas and a high swell," he said."There were westerly winds of force eight to force 10, that's somewhere around 60mph, very heavy seas and a high swell," he said.
"The vessel is 42,000 gross tonnes, a very large crude oil carrier, and it took the wave over the bow. The three men working on the front end were hit by it."The vessel is 42,000 gross tonnes, a very large crude oil carrier, and it took the wave over the bow. The three men working on the front end were hit by it.
"The ship has now returned to an anchorage in the Orkney islands in Scapa Flow.""The ship has now returned to an anchorage in the Orkney islands in Scapa Flow."
Investigation launched
He said the helicopter and lifeboat crew had worked in extreme weather conditions to save the life of the third crewman.He said the helicopter and lifeboat crew had worked in extreme weather conditions to save the life of the third crewman.
The tanker, which had taken on crude oil from another vessel before heading for Houston, has now returned to Scapa Flow.
Northern Constabulary said it had launched an investigation into the incident.
The tanker, which is less than a year old, is owned by Freight Ship Management PTC Ltd.