Two dead and one missing after Western Isles fishing vessel sinks

A distress alert was sent just before 3.45am and the vessel's emergency positioning beacon was activated near Mingulay

Three RNLI lifeboats and helicopter are searching the area (Peter Macdiarmid/Getty)

The bodies of two crew members have been found after a fishing vessel sank off the Western Isles in Scotland.

One of the crew is still missing while another was rescued and taken to hospital by helicopter.

The crab-fishing vessel was named locally as the Stornoway-registered Louisa.

The coastguard received a distress alert just before 3.45am on Saturday, and the vessel's emergency positioning beacon was activated near Mingulay.

A Maritime & Coastguard Agency spokeswoman said the vessel went down in relatively calm weather conditions.

The coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Stornoway was searching the area, along with the Barra RNLI lifeboat, which has returned to continue the search.

Mark Rodaway, National Maritime Operations Commander, for UK coastguard said: “Despite an intensive search including the helicopters, lifeboat and other fishing vessels in the area, we have been unable to locate the missing fisherman.

"Our thoughts are with all those involved."

Chief Inspector Alastair Garrow, of Police Scotland, said: "At this time we can confirm that the bodies of two men have been recovered.

"A third man was rescued and was taken to hospital at Stornoway. He is not seriously injured.

"A fourth man was on the boat and is still missing. The next of kin of all the men have been informed.

"An investigation will be carried out in parallel with the police and the Marine Accident and Investigation Branch (MAIB) and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal."

Additional reporting by agencies