Salmon company faces court over employee's death

West Minch Salmon is due to appear in court charged with failing to ensure the safety of its employees including Peter Kenneth Duce who died when the dingy overturned on Loch na Creige at Soval in South Lewis on 26th February 2008, according to Hebrides News online.

Five fish farm staff of West Minch Salmon were in the boat and ended up in the water. Four of the staff managed to swim to shore, but Mr Duce’s body was recovered the following day after a major search including police, coastguards and a rescue helicopter.

At the time, West Minch Salmon was owned by Angus Macmillan, the chairman of community buyout South Uist estate. Mr Macmillan recently sold the firm to The Scottish Salmon Company.

West Minch Salmon is accused of exposing workers to risks and failing to provide a safe boat to transport the men out to the fish cages in the middle of the freshwater loch, the news source said.

The case is due to call in Stornoway Sheriff Court in front of Sheriff Alasdair Macfayden later this week.