Rescue drama as divers get into difficulties on wreck dive
Shipping on the Clyde stands still as two men are rescued.

Two divers were rescued and treated from the bends as they got into difficulties whilst exploring the wreck of the Swedish motorship AKKA off Dunoon on the Clyde.

Largs lifeboat took one of the men to the Hyperbaric Chamber on the Island of Cumbrae but the other was deemed to be in a worse condition and was airlifted from the boat by Naval Rescue Helicopter and taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

It is thought that one of the men may have got into difficulty and his diving partner panicked.

The photo was taken by John Newth of Dunoon as he crossed on the local ferry SOUND OF SCARBA shows the container vessel PHILLIP standing off as the rescue got underway on Sunday afternoon.

The AKKA is a popular wreck for divers as she is one of the best preserved and the largest fully submerged wreck in the Clyde. She sank within minutes on 9th of April 1956 after striking the infamous Gantock Rocks. Her rudder had failed to respond. Three men died in the tragedy and a further three died after being taken to hospital.

The 5400 ton iron ore carrier was built at Gotaverken, Sweden