Blackpool, Lancashire - At 1.45 p.m.

on I9th December, 1966, a D.U.K.W.

used to supply the drilling rig Bedford X was reported to be sinking near the drilling rig. There were four men aboard.

The life-boat Maria Noble was launched at 2.10 in a west by southerly gale forcewind and a very rough sea. It was two hours before high water. A policeman aboard the life-boat with radio contact ashore learnt that the four men had been washed out of the boat towards the north pier jetty and that three survivors had been hauled to safety by the police. The fourth man had been washed under the jetty and the life-boat proceeded to the position and picked the man up as he floated clear. He was unconscious and, despite artificial respiration, was found to be dead on arrival in hospital..