A WORKER has died and two others have fallen ill on a North Sea oil platform.

The man was airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary from Marathon Oil's Brae Alpha platform, 55 miles north-east of Aberdeen, but it was confirmed he died on Thursday.

In a separate incident, two employees were also airlifted to the same hospital on Friday morning.

It is believed one of the workers had flu-like symptoms.

A Marathon Oil spokesman said: "It is with deep regret that Marathon Oil UK confirms that a colleague has passed away.

"Our colleague was airlifted from the Brae Alpha platform and arrived at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary at approximately 11.15am. The evacuation was as a result of illness and not a work-related incident."

The company said the incidents are not believed to be linked.