Diver Dies After Incident Near Houton Pier, Orkney

A diver has died after getting into difficulty in the waters near Houton Pier, Orphir, on Orkney Mainland. Emergency services were called to the scene shortly before midday on Thursday.

The man, aged 63, was taken to Balfour Hospital in Kirkwall but was later pronounced dead, according to local media reports. It is understood that he may have been suffering from decompression sickness, a condition that can occur if a diver ascends too quickly. Often referred to as “the bends”.

Police Scotland has confirmed that inquiries are underway to establish the full circumstances of the incident, but the death is not being treated as suspicious. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Houton Pier lies around five miles southeast of Stromness and provides ferry connections to Hoy, South Walls and Flotta, as well as servicing the Flotta oil terminal within Scapa Flow.