ABERDEEN, Scotland, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Scottish police Thursday launched an investigation after a rig worker died after falling into the North Sea while working on the Harding platform off Aberdeen.
"The investigation is currently being treated as a work-related death and Police Scotland are working with partners, carrying out a joint investigation with the Health and Safety Executive and under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to determine the full circumstances," a statement published by the Herald newspaper in Scotland said.
The newspaper reported the 62-year-old oil rig worker fell into the water while conducting routine maintenance at the platform, positioned about 200 miles from the coast Aberdeen. He was airlifted to a hospital where he later died from undisclosed causes.
The Harding platform is operated by the Abu Dhabi National Energy Co., known also as TAQA. A spokesman for the company was quoted as saying TAQA regrets the incident and was cooperating with the investigation. The remaining 108 crew working on the platform are safe.
TAQA acquired BP's interest in the Harding platform in 2012 as part of a broader $1.05 billion divestment from the British energy company.
