Helicopter helps rescue three trapped on sinking boat in Loch Lomond

A helicopter helped rescue three people who were trapped on a boat sinking near Loch Lomond.

Loch Lomond Rescue Boat were called at around 1.20pm on Sunday by Police Scotland after the vessel began to sink with three people on board between Inchmurrin Island and the Boturich shoreline.

The crew, alongside National Park Rangers, launched a rescue mission, and two swam to the boat while waiting for the Coastguard rescue helicopter to arrive on scene.

One casualty was recovered by the rescue boat, while the two remaining stuck on the ship were winched by the rescue helicopter and airlifted to Glasgow Airport.

A spokesperson said: “The crew were paged at 1.21pm yesterday by Police Scotland for an immediate launch to a vessel that was sinking with three persons on board between Inchmurrin Island and the Boturich shoreline.

“Crew launched immediately arriving on scene just after 1.40pm alongside National Park Rangers to find three persons submerged in water in a sinking vessel.

“Due to location two LLRB crew members entered the water amd swam to the stricken vessel to assess the situation and preserve life.

“After some time the first casualty was recovered by LLRB crew to the rescue boat and immediately provided with casualty care, this casualty was then handed to National Park rangers who conveyed him to Duncan Mills slipway to meet waiting Scottish Ambulance Service crews.

“The Coastguard Rescue Helicopter arrived on scene and winched the remaining two casualties from the vessel to the helicopter for onward travel to Glasgow Airport allowing our crew to return to the Rescue Boat and stand down at 3pm.

“Many thanks to Police Scotland, Scottish Ambulance Service, National Park Rangers and Coastguard Rescue Helicopter for assistance.”

Police Scotland have been contacted for comment.