News / Skeld regatta overshadowed by tragic death
A POPULAR regatta on Shetland’s westside had to be cancelled on Saturday night after a middle aged man died in a tragic accident.
Witnesses said 63 year old Alan Slater was coming down the pier when he fell into the water at around 7pm.
He was quickly retrieved from the water but all attempts by locals to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
An ambulance arrived 45 minutes after being called, and he was taken to the Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick.
Police in Shetland said on Monday they were contacted at 7.38pm. A spokesman said there were no suspicious circumstances. A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.
The Skeld Regatta’s Facebook page says that Saturday night’s gig of local favourites Revellers and Sunday’s Songs of Praise had to be cancelled “due to unforeseen circumstances”.
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