A man who fell overboard from a fishing boat in the North Sea near Arbroath this afternoon has been airlifted to hospital.
The incident occurred on the fishing vessel Optik, located west of Bell Rock at around 1.20pm on Wednesday.
It is understood that the man fell overboard after throwing fishing equipment into the water.
It is thought that he may have become tangled in the equipment as it was cast over the side of the vessel.
He was in the water for around five minutes before he was rescued by his own crew, and Coastguard began CPR immediately.
He was airlifted by helicopter from RAF Boulmer from the boat to Ninewells Hospital where his condition is currently being assessed.
A spokeswoman for Tayside Police said: "The fishing boat is being brought back to Arbroath Harbour so Tayside Police can carry out an examination of the vessel."
Angus McIver, Watch Manager at Forth Coastguard said: "Fortunately the weather has not been too poor this afternoon with white cloud and a temperature of 8 degrees Celsius locally which aided a swift recovery. We do not know yet of this mans current condition.
"Sea temperatures are around 10 - 12 degrees Celsius at this time of year and any immersion can be dangerous.
"Unfortunately we understand this man was not wearing a lifejacket when he went into the water and we urge all working fishermen to make sure their buoyancy aids are in date and in use."
