Man died after falling in vat of grain on ship in Portland Port

Police, paramedics, coastguard officers, the fire service and the Air Ambulance rushed to Portland Port at around 5pm on Friday afternoon after receiving reports that a man had been found in a vat of grain in the hold of the Beks Yilmaz ship.

The multi-agency response saw staff across the emergency services board the 44,000-ton cargo ship, which is registered in the Marshall Islands.

A man has died after he was found in a vat of grain on a ship at Portland Port Picture: Dorset Media Service

WATCH: Emergency services descend on Portland Port as man falls into ship’s hold

Geoff Moore was out for a walk when he saw the emergency services rush past and head down to the port. He said: "I could see there were a lot of emergency vehicles going into the dockyard with their lights flashing.

"There were at least three fire rescue vehicles, a couple of ambulances, several police cars, one of the coastguard teams and the Air Ambulance, so for that many emergency vehicles to turn up made it clear it was serious. Once they made it down to the port, I could see them onboard the ship in their high-vis clothing.

"There were a few people milling about watching it unfold but nobody knew what was going on."

Picture: Dorset Media Service

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "At 5.02pm on March 26, Dorset Police received a report from the ambulance service that a man had been found in a vat of grain in the hold of a ship in Portland Port. Sadly, the man has died. His next of kin has been informed and the coroner notified.

"There are no suspicious circumstances. A full report will be submitted to HM Coroner for Dorset to assist a future inquest."

Mayor of Portland Sandy West has expressed her condolences to the family of the man that died. She said: "This is such a heart-breaking thing to happen and my heart goes out to the man's family.

"I heard all the emergency vehicles go past my house and I initially thought it must be some kind of training exercise because there were so many but obviously it was for something very tragic.

"My thoughts are also with the crew who were onboard the ship - it must have been awful for them as well."

Picture: Dorset Media Service

Councillor Paul Kimber, a councillor for both Dorset and Portland Town Council, said: "This is tragic and I send my condolences to the man's family.

"I really thank the emergency services for turning out and responding in such force to deal with the outcome. It is just so sad that the outcome was what it was."

Picture: Dorset Media Service

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said: "We have been made aware of the incident by the police and we are making initial enquiries."