A Scots oil worker has died after falling from a ship in Gran Canaria.

Colin Gillespie, who worked for Aberdeen-based Stena Drilling, suffered a head injury before plunging into the water in Las Palmas.

The 53-year-old, of Dundee, was pronounced dead at the Stena IceMAX at Luz Port in the early hours of Sunday.

Colleagues tried to resuscitate the worker when he was discovered.

A company spokesman said: "Stena Drilling Limited can confirm a tragic accident has occurred involving one of our crew members whilst returning from shore leave to the vessel Stena IceMAX in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain.

"The crane operator was returning to the ship on Saturday night, when it appears that he fell from the quayside into the water.

"He was recovered from the water and emergency medical response procedures were initiated, but sadly he did not recover.

"Relevant Spanish authorities have been notified, with support services being co-ordinated through the shore based incident response team at Stena Drilling's head office.

"An investigation is under way into this tragic accident and our deepest sympathy goes to family members and next of kin."

The Stena IceMAX is able to drill in water depths of up to 10,000ft.

It can accommodate 180 people and became operational in 2012.