Covid death probe told of rescue bid to get North Sea worker ashore

The Ninian Southern installation is 75 miles (120km) east of Shetland.

The FAI heard Singer went into an isolation cabin in a special corridor on the platform as a precaution for about a week with a raised temperature.

He was due to be flown home on a crew-change flight when his temperature dropped, but the flight was cancelled due to bad weather.

Offshore electrician Whittaker told Catriona Dow, for the Crown, that Singer later became more ill.

A Coastguard search and rescue helicopter was summoned for an evacuation, and Whittaker helped Singer on board via a stretcher chair.

Whittaker said there was “still the assumption” that Singer did not have Covid. However, they later heard he tested positive for the virus.

He added concerns were then raised about what if other workers started presenting symptoms and potentially took Covid back home to families.

Whittaker said they were told they could stay offshore for longer than normal to see if they developed any symptoms.