An investigation has been launched after the death of a worker on an offshore installation in the North Sea.
Lee Hulse, 32, from Torry, in Aberdeen, Scotland, reportedly fell from a crane on the Valaris 121 jackup drilling rig in the early hours of Friday morning.
Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been informed of the incident on the platform, which is located 140 miles (225km) east of Aberdeen.
A HSE spokesperson added: ‘We are aware of the incident and will be investigating alongside Police Scotland.’
Representatives from both HSE and Police Scotland flew out to the platform following keen footballer Mr Hulse’s death.
The company said: ‘Valaris regrets to inform that a crew member onboard its Valaris 121 (V121) jackup drilling rig sadly died as a result of an incident in the early hours of Friday.
‘Their next of kin has been informed and Valaris is offering support to them at this difficult time.
‘All remaining personnel onboard the V121 at the time of the incident have been safely accounted for.’
Lee Hulse, 32, from Torry, in Aberdeen, Scotland, died after reportedly falling from a crane on the Valaris 121 jackup drilling rig in the early hours of Friday morning
Valaris said its priority was the safety and wellbeing of all personnel, adding that operations on the V121 had been temporarily halted.
Police Scotland confirmed the HSE had been informed and that a report had been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
The incident occurred while the Valaris 121 was drilling on the Shearwater Platform operated by Shell.
A spokesperson for Shell said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the death of a crew member on Valaris 121, which was working at our Shearwater platform in the North Sea.
‘We are providing support to Valaris following the incident. Our thoughts are very much with the crew member’s family and colleagues.’
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Mr Hulse’s family, which has so far raised more than £14,400.
It says:’Tragically and very suddenly Lee has lost his life. Leaving behind his family that loved him the most.
‘No family partner or friends are ever prepared for this type of loss. Lee always looked after his family and all his friends… so this is our turn to make sure we look after him and give him the best send off that he deserves and make sure his daughter is well looked after.
‘Christmas is also approaching and I want it to be one less thing for them to worry about.’
Mr Hulse was a worker on the Valaris 121 oil drilling rig (pictured here in Dundee Harbour for refit and maintenance)
Torry-based Sunday Football League side White Cockade FC, which was founded by Mr Hulse, described the Aberdonian as ‘one of a kind’.
A statement read: ‘Lee was one of the good ones someone who would go above and beyond for absolutely anyone and it echoes throughout the Torry community today with beautiful tributes posted by many today just shows he really was one of a kind.
‘He also leaves behind an incredible legacy in our community as the founder of White Cockade Football Club.
‘From what started out as a pipe dream Hulse turned into reality. What he started has brought so many people together and will continue to do so for years to come.’
In 2023, a 50-year-old worker went missing from the Valaris 121 in the North Sea. His body was never found.
Jason Thomas, who was from Wales, was reported missing from the Valaris 121, about 100 miles (160km) south east of Aberdeen, on 22 January 2023.
An investigation found a hole was discovered in the deck of the rig on the day he went missing.
The HSE said a grating was dislodged, putting workers at risk of falling through.
