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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Adam Everett

Tugboat captain cleared of causing shipmate's death after plunge into Mersey

A tugboat captain has been cleared of causing his shipmate's death after he plunged into the Mersey.

Ian Webb was killed aged 62 after falling into the river from a jetty at Tranmere Oil Terminal nearly four years ago. He had been working as the chief engineer of the Millgarth during a "violent storm" when he died.

Dane Ellis meanwhile was the boat's captain and master. But, during a trial at Liverpool Crown Court, the 36-year-old was accused of giving his subordinate crew member "extremely and obviously dangerous" orders which were said to have led to the "unnecessary and avoidable incident", while a failed rescue mission was described as "disjointed and haphazard".

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