32-Year-Old Offshore North Sea Rig Worker Dies In Tragic Incident, Probe Under Way

An investigation has been launched after an offshore worker lost his life during an incident on the Valaris 121 jack-up drilling rig in the North Sea.

The worker, identified as 32-year-old Lee Hulse, died in the early hours of Friday while the unit was operating about 140 miles (225km) east of Aberdeen.

Police Scotland confirmed they were called at around 4:40am to a report of a death and said the case was not being treated as suspicious.

The force stated that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) had been informed and that a report had been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

The HSE also confirmed it would be investigating the incident jointly with Police Scotland. Local media reported that Mr Hulse died after falling from a crane, although this has not been officially confirmed.

Valaris stated that a crew member had died as a result of the incident and reported that the next of kin had been informed.

The company stated that it was offering support to the family and confirmed that all remaining personnel on the Valaris 121 rig were safe. It added that operations on the rig had been temporarily halted, emphasising that the safety and wellbeing of all personnel remained its priority.

Shell, whose Shearwater platform the Valaris 121 had been working alongside, said it was deeply saddened by the death. The company stated that it was providing support to Valaris and expressed that its thoughts were with the worker’s family and colleagues.

A GoFundMe page has been created to support Mr Hulse’s family with funeral expenses. The page described his death as sudden and tragic and said that his family, partner and friends were unprepared for such a loss.

The organiser said that Mr Hulse had always looked after his family and friends and said the fundraiser aimed to give him the farewell he deserved and ensure his daughter was cared for.

Tributes have also been paid by Aberdeen’s White Cockade Football Club, which Mr Hulse founded. In a message posted online, the club said he had created an “incredible legacy” and would be missed more than words could express.

The Valaris 121 was previously involved in a serious incident in January 2023, when 50-year-old Welsh worker Jason Thomas went missing from the rig while it was operating about 100 miles (160km) southeast of Aberdeen.

His body was never found. An investigation later found that a grating had been dislodged, creating a hole in the deck and putting workers at risk of falling.

Authorities have not confirmed when operations on the Valaris 121 will resume as inquiries into the latest fatality continue.

References: BBC, Sky News

Source: Maritime Shipping News