Fisherman in severed thumb ordeal

A FISHERMAN had to be airlifted to hospital after severing his thumb in machinery on a trawler 260 miles off the coast of Scotland.

The 46-year-old was one of several crew on board the Russa Taign when the accident took place around 9pm on Friday night.

The vessel was out of helicopter range and had to sail 130 miles overnight toward the Stornoway coast.

The Stornoway Coastguard managed to reach the trawler around 9am yesterday and flew him to hospital on Lewis.

Watch officer Iain Macaulay said: “The vessel sailed around 130 miles overnight, allowing our helicopter to take off around 7am and make contact around two hours later.

“The crew member, who, it appears, has severed his thumb in machinery, was flown to the Western Isles Hospital for treatment.”