Royal Navy Probe After Man's Body Falls From Helicopter Winch
An investigation has been launched after a man's body slipped from a Royal Navy helicopter harness while being winched from a loch.
Dr Bill Murdoch, 64 - who was a former University of Aberdeen chaplain - is understood to have been on a solo fishing trip on Loch Fyne in Argyll when he fell into the water and died on Monday September 7, according to the Scottish Daily Mail.
A search-and-rescue helicopter crew based at HMS Gannet in Ayrshire attended and began winching Dr Murdoch's body aboard when he slipped from the harness and fell into the water.
A Royal Navy spokesman confirmed an internal investigation was under way.
He added: While all the signs were that Dr Murdoch had passed away prior to the rescue, which was confirmed by the post-mortem examination, our thoughts are of course with his family at this extremely difficult time.
Search and rescue is a challenging and complex task which the Royal Navy conducts with professionalism in all conditions.
We note Police Scotland's statement that there were no suspicious circumstances.''
Police Scotland confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances and said a report has been sent to the procurator fiscal.