Police express sympathy for Lossiemouth fisherman's family after death at sea
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POLICE have confirmed the identity of a fisherman who died after a fall from a boat in the North Sea as 45-year-old John McTaggart.
Police Scotland said enquiries to establish the full circumstances of Mr McTaggart's death were still ongoing.
There are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.
Detective Sergeant Jill Anderson said today: "Our thoughts and sympathies are very much with Mr McTaggart's family and we would encourage respect for their privacy at this difficult time."
The Lossiemouth dad and grandad fell into freezing water four miles east of Stonehaven in the early hours yesterday.
The crew of the fishing boat, the Inverness-registered Acorn, alerted the Coastguard at around 1.54am on Tuesday after Mr McTaggart fell overboard.
A major search was launched involving Aberdeen and Stonehaven lifeboats and a Coastguard helicopter from Inverness.
Nearby commercial vessels also responded to mayday broadcasts to help in the emergency search.
Mr McTaggart was pronounced dead when he was eventually pulled from the water.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 3.15am on Tuesday, September 29, police were called to a report of a man having fallen into the sea from a fishing vessel near Stonehaven.
"Emergency services attended and a 45-year-old man was recovered from the sea and pronounced dead.
"Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal."
The Marine Accident Investigations Branch confirmed it was also investigating the tragic circumstances.
