Two injured as gales roll ferry

Northlink's Shetland ferries were damaged in heavy seas last month

A passenger and a crewman on a ferry from Aberdeen to Shetland have been taken to hospital after being thrown against bulkheads in rough seas.

The Northlink Ferries vessel was being rolled violently in a severe gale.

A spokesman for the firm said the men were hurt at about 0610 GMT, when the ship Hrossay was coming past Sumburgh Head at the southern tip of Shetland.

The passenger injured his ribs and the crewman received a head injury. Both have been taken to hospital in Lerwick.

The ship was hit by large waves and rolled twice in quick succession after it was caught up in severe gale-force winds.

Weather has proven to be a major problem for Northlink this winter.

In January both its Shetland ferries were seriously damaged by large waves within a week of each other.