A 32-year-old worker, Lee Hulse, died on the Valaris 121 jack-up rig in the UK North Sea, around 225 km east of Aberdeen, in the early hours of 14 November. Initial reports indicate that he fell from a crane. Following the incident, operations on the rig were temporarily halted.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has opened an investigation together with Police Scotland, which stated that the death is not being treated as suspicious. A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. Valaris confirmed that next of kin were informed and that all personnel onboard at the time were accounted for, noting the company is offering support to the family.
The Valaris 121 is currently contracted to Shell, operating at the Shearwater platform. The contract began in January 2025 and was due to conclude in February 2026, with an extension granted until August 2026. Shell expressed condolences and said it is supporting Valaris following the incident.
Tributes to Mr. Hulse have been shared online, including from White Cockade Football Club, which he founded. A GoFundMe campaign has also been set up to assist his family with funeral expenses.
In January 2023, another serious incident occurred on the Valaris 121, when worker Jason Thomas went missing about 160 km southeast of Aberdeen. Investigators later found that a dislodged deck grating had created a fall hazard on the day he disappeared.
