Canadian sub crew member dies in Sligo hospital

A member of the crew of stricken Canadian submarine HMCS Chicoutimi died in Sligo General Hospital late last night.

The sailor was airlifted from the vessel in the Atlantic and taken to Sligo General Hospital after his condition deteriorated mid-flight.

A British Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “It is our understanding that he has died.”

Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin offered his sympathy, saying: “He gave his life serving his country and we owe his family our deepest condolences.”

Doctors were treating the sailor after a Royal navy helicopter took him and two of his injured colleagues ashore.

The trio were among nine casualties who suffered smoke inhalation after a blaze broke out on the Canadian submarine when it was 100 miles off the west coast of Ireland.

A rescue operation was mounted after the captain of the vessel called for help at 3pm on Tuesday, but dangerous weather conditions hindered their progress.

A spokeswoman for Sligo General Hospital said the three men had landed on the helideck at around 8.30pm yesterday and were rushed into accident and emergency.

She described one of them as being in a “very critical” condition, while the other two had managed to walk into the hospital.

The rescuers had planned to take the crewmen to Derry for medical treatment, but had been forced to make an emergency landing at Sligo.

“The condition of one of the men deteriorated and gave us cause for concern,” said the spokesman.

“A medical decision based on his condition was taken to put down in Sligo. The helicopter landed as quickly as it could.”

The other two men being treated are said to be in a “stable” condition.

News of the man’s death broke as rescue tugs neared the stricken vessel.

A spokesman for the Canadian navy was unable to give details on the men’s conditions until next of kin were informed.