North Sea crash: ship's master held as search for missing man is called off

Police have detained the master of the container ship Solong following a collision in the North Sea, as experts voiced growing fears over the environmental impact of the crash.

- Robyn Vinter Josh Halliday Karen McVeigh

The ship's owner confirmed that the vessel's 59-year-old master had been detained, adding: "The master and our entire team are actively assisting with the investigations.

"Out of respect for the investigation and all involved, we will not comment further at this time."

The search was called off yesterday for a sailor on the Solong who went missing during the collision.

The investigation into the cause of the crash was escalated to a criminal investigation after early inquiries by Humberside police.

The Stena Immaculate, carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel for the US air force in 16 segregated tanks, was stationary when it was struck by the German-owned Solong on Monday morning. At least one of its tanks leaked into the North Sea.

The transport minister Mike Kane said there was "no evidence" of foul play at present but that something had clearly gone "terribly wrong".