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Sea loch barge accident kills two Sea loch barge accident kills two
(about 1 hour later)
Two men have died and a third has been airlifted to hospital after an accident on board a barge on a sea loch near Oban in Argyll.Two men have died and a third has been airlifted to hospital after an accident on board a barge on a sea loch near Oban in Argyll.
Coastguard rescue teams were called to Loch Creran at about 1150 BST. A Royal Navy helicopter from Prestwick was also scrambled.Coastguard rescue teams were called to Loch Creran at about 1150 BST. A Royal Navy helicopter from Prestwick was also scrambled.
The injured worker was flown to Lorn and Isles Hospital in Oban.The injured worker was flown to Lorn and Isles Hospital in Oban.
A rescue operation was launched after reports that three men were unconscious on the fish farm vessel. A rescue operation was launched after reports that three men were unconscious on the Scottish Sea Farms vessel.
The boat was moored on Loch Creran when the alarm was raised.The boat was moored on Loch Creran when the alarm was raised.
A Strathclyde Police spokeswoman said: "At 11.50am emergency services were called to a report of an industrial incident involving three men in the Rhugarbh area of Loch Creran. It was initially thought the men had died after being overcome by noxious fumes but coastguards said it was now believed they suffocated while inspecting hydraulic pipes.
A spokeswoman for Scottish Sea Farms, said: "It is with great sadness that SSF can confirm an accident at our faarm in Loch Creran, Argyll, has resulted in two fatalities and injury to a third colleague.
This is an absolute tragedy. My thoughts go out to the families of those involved Cllr Duncan MacIntyre Argyll and Bute Council
"Our immediate concern and condolences are for the families affected by this tragic accident.
"SSF are co-operating fully with the Health and Safety Executive and relevant authorities in this matter."
A Clyde Coastguard spokesman said: "There was a problem with the crane on the barge and the men went to look at some hydraulic pipes in a hold.
"They vented it for about 15 minutes, but when the first man went down he became unconscious almost immediately.
"An engineer then went down but could feel himself starting to lapse out of consciousness and came back up.
It is understood the third man then went to investigate wearing some sort of respiratory mask and he too became unconscious.
The spokesman added: "Because the barge is made of metal and steel, it rusts, and that depletes oxygen levels."
An investigation was being carried out into the circumstances of the accident.
A Strathclyde Police spokeswoman said: "At 1150 BST emergency services were called to a report of an industrial incident involving three men in the Rhugarbh area of Loch Creran.
"Police, coastguard, Oban lifeboat, air rescue and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue are in attendance."Police, coastguard, Oban lifeboat, air rescue and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue are in attendance.
"It is being treated very seriously.""It is being treated very seriously."
A Clyde Coastguard spokesman added: "We believe there were three people who had fallen into the hold of a barge. Argyll councillor Duncan MacIntyre said: "This is an absolute tragedy. My thoughts go out to the families of those involved."
"The initial report was that all three were in the tank space of the hold and were unconscious. A Health and Safety Executive spokesman said they had been made aware of the incident.
"It was thought there was some risk of noxious fumes and there was also a report of two of the men being overcome by fumes and one who was injured.
"One of the men who was recovered was taken to hospital. The other two were fatalities."