Aberdeen dad dies following incident on board North Sea drilling rig

Key Points

Lee Hulse died following an incident on board a drilling rig in the North Sea
A Health and Safety Executive investigation has been launchd
The dad was described as a “one of a kind”
This is the second fatal incident on the platform within two years

A man from Aberdeen has died following an incident on board a North Sea drilling rig.

Emergency services were alerted to the death of Lee Hulse on the Valaris 121 rig, located 140 miles off the coast of Aberdeen in Shell’s Shearwater field, at around 4.40am on Friday.

The 32-year-old’s death is not being treated as suspicious, however, the Health and Safety Executive has been informed.

The nature of the incident is currently unknown. Mr Hulse passed away one week after celebrating his birthday.

Investigators from Police Scotland and the HSE were flown out to the rig on Friday following the incident.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 4,40am on Friday, November 14, 2025, we received a report of the death of a 32-year-old man on a drilling rig in the North Sea.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious. The Health and Safety Executive has been informed and a report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”

A HSE spokesperson added: “We are aware of the incident and will be investigating alongside Police Scotland.”

A Shell spokesperson said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of a crew member on Valaris 121, which was working at our Shearwater platform in the North Sea. We are providing support to Valaris following the incident. Our thoughts are very much with the crew member’s family and colleagues.”

Valaris confirmed that support is being offered to loved ones affected by the incident. Operations on the platform have been halted following the fatal incident.

The company said: “Valaris regrets to inform that a crew member onboard its Valaris 121 (V121) jackup drilling rig has sadly died as a result of an incident in the early hours of Friday, 14th November.

Lee Hulse died following an incident on board an offshore drilling rig. Valaris

“Their next of kin has been informed and Valaris is offering support to them at this difficult time.

“All remaining personnel onboard the V121 at the time of the incident have been safely accounted for.

“Valaris’ priority is the safety and wellbeing of all personnel.”

‘Lee was one of the good ones’

Tributes have been paid to Mr Hulse following his death on Friday.

Torry based Sunday Football League side White Cockade FC, which was founded by the 32-year-old, described the Aberdonian as “one of a kind”.

A statement read: “Lee was one of the good ones someone who would go above and beyond for absolutely anyone and it echo’s throughout the Torry community today with beautiful tributes posted by many today just shows he really was one of a kind.

“He also leaves behind an incredible legacy in our community as the founder of White Cockade Football Club.

“From what started out as a pipe dream Hulse turned into reality, What he started has brought so many people together and will continue to do so for years to come.”

A GoFundMe has been set up to support his family and give the offshore worker the send off he deserves.

It has so far raised more that £14,000.

The fundraiser reads: “No family partner or friends are ever prepared for this type of loss.

This is the second fatal incident to occur on the platform within the last two years. STV News

“Lee always looked after his family and all his friends… so this is our turn to make sure we look after him and give him the best send off that he deserves and make sure his daughter is well looked after.

“Christmas is also approaching and I want it to be one less thing for them too worry about.”

Second death on board rig in two years

Lee Hulse’s death is the second to take place on board the Valaris 121 within the last two years.

Welshman Jason Thomas was reported missing from the rig on January 22, 2023, which is located 100 miles south east of Aberdeen.

A major search operation was launched, involving two oil supply vessels, a Coastguard helicopter and Coastguard aeroplane, to locate the 50-year-old who was presumed to have fallen overboard.

The Health and Safety Executive determined that dislodged grating put workers at risk of falling through the platform and into the sea.

The body of Jason Thomas has still not been located.