A sailor injured in a fire that disabled a Canadian submarine died Wednesday of his injuries, Britain's Ministry of Defense and Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin said.
The diesel-powered submarine drifted in the Atlantic as British ships battled through rough weather to reach it and the 54 crew members who remained on board.
PHOTO: EPA
Britain's military airlifted Lieutenant Chris Saunders and two other injured sailors from the vessel earlier Wednesday. Martin said Saunders had died during the airlift but provided no further details.
"He gave his life serving his country and we owe his family our deepest condolences," Martin told Canada's House of Commons in Ottawa. "We pay him homage and we make known our deep respect to his family."
Rescuers had intended to take the three injured men to a hospital in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, but had to divert on short notice to Sligo, in the Republic of Ireland, because Saunders' condition deteriorated and he needed immediate treatment.
Officials had initially described the Tuesday electrical fire aboard the HMCS Chicoutimi as small.
But Commodore Tyrone Pile, commander of the Canadian Atlantic Fleet, said Wednesday it was "a major fire" that was worse than first thought.
Lawmakers in Ottawa observed a moment of silence in honor of Saunders, a father of two.
There was no immediate word on the condition of the two other crew members brought to Sligo for treatment, but the hospital said they were able to walk. Canadian officials said a total of nine people had suffered smoke inhalation from the blaze.
The six others did not require hospitalization and remained aboard the submarine, adrift about 185km northwest of Ireland. No injuries were reported among the remaining members of a crew that originally numbered 57.
The Chicoutimi was only four days into its maiden voyage as a Canadian vessel when it sent out a distress call Tuesday.
Three British naval vessels and two tug boats planned to tow the sub to a Scottish naval base, but a Canadian naval officer said rough seas might force any attempt get a tow line to the vessel until today.
The lead rescue ship, frigate HMS Montrose, reached the Chicoutimi at about 1pm on Wednesday, and pulled alongside to drop off medical staff and supplies and assess the damage, the Ministry of Defense said in London.
"They've got emergency lighting on board. It is probably going to get a little bit cold, but they have sufficient blankets and other means to keep warm on board the submarine," Pile said. "It's going to be uncomfortable with the movement of the sea."
An Irish naval vessel, LE Roisin, tried to reach the sub Wednesday but turned back after being damaged in heavy seas, the Irish Defense Forces said.
Another British ship laden with food and fuel and carrying a medical team and helicopter was also on the way.
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