Police are investigating the death of a 22-year-old worker at the coal terminal at Hunterston on Sunday evening.

The death of Craig Logan, who lived in Kilbirnie, is being treated as unexplained, and a post-mortem is set to take place.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Around 10pm on Sunday, the body of a 22-year-old man was discovered in a crane at the Hunterston terminal near Largs.

“A post-mortem examination will take place in due course to establish the exact cause of his death.

“However, at this time, it is being treated as unexplained.” Fire crews from Largs and Ardrossan also attended on Sunday evening, as operators Peel Ports immediately halted work on the site following the incident.

Fire officer Peter Bowyer said: “We had a man who was trapped on the gantry of one of the big cranes at Hunterston terminal. A specialist rope rescue team were also in attendance. It is very sad, and our thoughts are with his family. Investigations are ongoing into the incident.” Tributes have been paid to the young mechanical engineer who has worked at the Clydeport terminal since 2009.

David Telford, a community councillor from Fairlie, said: “We would like to offer our condolences to the family. It is difficult to comment until you know what has happened.” A spokesman for Peel Ports said: “We can confirm that one of our employees, a 22-year-old engineer, has died while working on a crane at the Hunterston Coal Terminal around 10pm on Sunday night.

“The emergency services were called immediately and we are co-operating fully with the ongoing investigations by Police Scotland and other statutory authorities.

“Work at the terminal has been suspended and our thoughts are with his family and workmates.”