Memorial Hospital yesterday after being involved in a high seas accident in which two of his colleagues died.

The man was one of three crew of the British gas tanker Johann Schulte , who were airlifted to the hospital on Friday by US Air Force helicopters.

A Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) Bermuda spokesman told The Royal Gazette yesterday that the most seriously injured man was still in critical condition in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit).

He added that the other two, a 39-year-old able seaman and a 31-year-old seaman, were in stable condition in the general ward.

The men were rescued in a joint venture between the US Air Force and Coast Guard, after they were knocked into deck equipment by a huge wave on Thursday morning. One man, the ship's Polish Chief Officer, died not long after but it was decided the other crewmen, who were suffering from head injuries and broken limbs, needed to be airlifted off. Two USAF Blackhawk HH-60 helicopters and two HC-130 refuelling planes landed at the Airport on Thursday night after being dispatched from Moody Air Force Base in Georgia.

They began the 600-mile journey from the Island to the tanker at midday on Friday, unfortunately not soon enough to save the 59-year-old ship's bosun, who died at 10.35 a.m. of massive leg injuries.

Three crew members, including one with severe head injuries, were winched off the boat at around 4.30 p.m. as it was thrown about by high seas and winds.

On the journey back, flight surgeons reported that the condition of the man with severe head injuries was steadily getting worse. It was decided the choppers would land at the National Sports Centre to get the man to hospital more quickly. They swooped into the floodlit stadium at 9.30 p.m. to be met with a bevy of onlookers, fire trucks, Police and ambulance crews.

The Johann Schulte arrived in Bermuda last night and is anchoring at Murray's Anchorage until this morning when she moves to Dockyard. RCC said the bodies of those who died will probably be removed from the ship today, after the Coroner has been on board.