Probe launched after two injured during North Sea crane incident

An investigation has been launched after two offshore workers were injured when part of a crane collapsed onto the deck of a North Sea platform.

One of the men was airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) following the accident on Repsol Sinopec’s Fulmar ‘A’ installation.

Production on the platform, which is located approximately 217 miles east of Dundee, has been shut in while an investigation is carried out.

A spokesman for the operator said: “Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited can confirm that two people have been treated for non-life threatening injuries following an incident involving a crane on the Fulmar installation.

“One person was airlifted to ARI for further assessment. Family members were informed and all remaining personnel on board are safe.

“The platform has been shut down while the incident is investigated further.

“The incident happened at approximately 19:05 hrs on Monday.”

Industry sources say the boom of the west crane on the Fulmar came down onto the deck in an uncontrolled manner.

It is understood one man suffered a broken jaw while the other suffered bruising.

Both were working for service company Enermech.

A Norwegian search and rescue helicopter arrived at ARI around 11pm on Monday night.

The coastguard confirmed that it was transporting an injured crewman from an offshore installation, although it is unclear if it was the Fulmar casualty.

A Marine and Coastguard spokeswoman said: “We received a call at 8.20pm informing us that a Norwegian search and rescue helicopter had been tasked to medevac an injured crewman from a platform.

“The casualty was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where they were met by the Aberdeen coastguard team, who set up a landing site.”

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokeswoman said it was made aware of the inbound Norwegian aircraft at 9.51pm.

She added: “We received a call that the aircraft was coming in soon and we were required.

“The helicopter landed at 11.05pm and we transported the injured crewman into the A&E department.

“It was one gentleman with work related injuries.”

The Health and Safety Executive has confirmed it is aware of the incident and is investigating.

The Fulmar platform was installed in 1981 with production starting up the following year.

It is comprised of two fixed steel jackets. As well as processing production from its namesake field it also acts as a gathering hub for several tied back neighbouring oil and gas reservoirs.

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