A multi-agency rescue operation was launched after a diver fell unconscious during an expedition in Argyll and Bute.

The man had been freediving with four friends off Maiden Island, at the northern entrance to Oban Bay, when he was found face down, unconscious and not breathing after surfacing from the water.

Oban RNLI was alerted to the incident on Monday afternoon after Stornoway Coastguard paged for assistance.

Two Scottish Ambulance Service paramedics accompanied the lifeboat crew.

The casualty was recovered from rocks on the north side of the island and treated with oxygen before being transferred to Lorn and Islands Hospital.

The man’s condition is currently unknown.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Read more:
Watch: Crew pull family from stricken dinghy in the Channel
Donations to RNLI jump by more than 28 times after CEO defends rescuing migrants

Ally Cerexhe, Oban lifeboat coxswain, said: “This was a multi-agency rescue, not just involving our colleagues from the Scottish Ambulance Service but also Coastguard teams on the shore and the Coastguard helicopter Rescue 199 from Prestwick.

“We’d particularly like to thank the crew of a local fishing boat who were helping on the scene when we arrived.”

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said the alarm was raised shortly before 3pm.

They added: “We dispatched one ambulance to the scene and transported one male patient to Lorn and Islands Hospital.”

Police Scotland was contacted for comment.

Related posts:

From climate to Palestine, thousands of protesters descended on London with one common goal French businessman is ‘leader of hit squad’ investigated over murder of British family UK reports 14,876 new COVID cases and another 11 deaths Insulate Britain return after 10-day break and block roads in London – police on scene ‘A fitting tribute’: Britain’s first black train driver honoured with plaque at busy rail station Labour deputy calls PM ‘spineless and cowardly’ as MP Sir Geoffrey Cox seen working as barrister for BVIs again Collapse of Britain’s seventh-biggest energy firm Bulb confirmed – leaving taxpayers to take the strain Teenager stabbed to death in London Travel disruption continues for commuters after strike on London Underground Ex-Radio 1 DJ jailed for ‘grotesque’ child sex offences has sentence increased to 18 years ‘Rishi has my full support’: Mordaunt pulls out of Tory leadership race Dozens of energy crisis activists ‘occupy central lobby of parliament’