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Police investigate man overboard Missing sailor injured but alive
(about 14 hours later)
Grampian police officers are due to investigate the disappearance of a man who is believed to have fallen from his boat in the North Sea. A missing oil worker who was thought to have fallen overboard from his dive support vessel in the North Sea has been found alive on board the ship.
Christopher McGonigle, 35, from Northern Ireland, was last seen on the DSND Pelican about 140 miles east of Aberdeen at about 0300 GMT on Saturday. Searches were carried out over two days for 35-year-old Christopher McGonigle, who had not been seen since Saturday on the DSNS Pelican, east of Aberdeen.
Officers will board the vessel when it docks in Aberdeen on Monday. A coastguard spokesman said Mr McGonigle, from Northern Ireland, had been found after 42 hours.
A search was launched involving nine boats and three helicopters and the crew of the DSND Pelican. He was discovered in a store room with a broken leg and back injuries.
Mr McGonigle worked for Subsea 7 as a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) operator on the 308ft boat. Grampian Police are expected to investigate the incident.
We have to regrettably acknowledge that his chances of survival are very slim Robin DaviesSubsea 7 Roof panel
The police will be joined by representatives from the Health and Safety Executive. Mr McGonigle works for Subsea 7 as a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) operator on the 308ft boat.
The 92 other crew of the Pelican have been accounted for. The boat had been at sea for six days carrying out a series of dive support services in the North Sea.
The boat has been at sea for six days carrying out a series of dive support services in the North Sea. Mr McGonigle was eventually found on board the boat by a fellow crew member at about 2200 GMT on Sunday, stowed away in what is considered a normally inaccessible space above a roof panel.
Robin Davies, Subsea 7's North Sea vice president, said Mr McGonigle's family were being kept informed of developments. It is believed he had food and water with him.
He said: "The length of time Christopher has been missing, together with the sea temperature, means we have to regrettably acknowledge that his chances of survival are very slim. Mr McGonigle was transferred from the boat by helicopter to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
"Our thoughts and prayers are very much with Christopher and his family at the moment." The crewman was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
Robin Davies, Subsea 7's North Sea vice-president, said: "We are delighted Christopher has been found alive and is now being attended to by the ARI medical staff.
"We will now try and establish the reasons behind his disappearance and, of course, assist Grampian Police in any enquiries they may have."
Father John Doherty from Mr McGonigle's home town of Strabane said the family was delighted at the outcome.
"Some of the staff were training in the gym heard a noise and went and discovered Christopher," he said.
"Apparently, he is not totally well. He has got a broken leg and is suffering from hypothermia and dehydration.
"But, having said that, the family were actually talking to him on the phone last night so that was an amazing experience for them."
Aberdeen Coastguard watch manager George Downie said: "We are absolutely amazed and delighted that this man has been found.
"A very thorough search of the vessel was made several times over by the crew and there was no sign of him.
"The doctor on board the vessel examined him and found that he was suffering from a broken leg."