Tragic accident: Scottish university student dies after boat sinks during one-time trip

A Scottish student died tragically when a boat sank off the coast of Norway during a unique Viking voyage.

Mexican-American archaeologist Karla Dana, a student at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), died on August 27 when the replica boat capsized in rough seas, a local Faroe Islands newspaper reported.

The other five people on board boarded an inflatable life raft and were flown to safety by helicopter, the BBC reported. However, Karla's body was found on Wednesday morning not far from where the boat sank.

The huge waves reportedly reached a height of five metres during the dream trip and became a nightmare when they swallowed the small boat and caused it to capsize, reports the Mirror.

Karla had recently decided to study for a Masters in Archaeology at the UHI campus in Orkney because the course “fit perfectly with her career goals” before she passed away in a terrible way.

The Norwegian Sea Rescue Society said conditions just west of the Norwegian town of Stad were distressing and released a chilling video showing what the sea looked like at the time.

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Shocking footage shows huge waves crashing against the side of the NSSR ship, splashing against the windshield as the entire boat rocks violently from side to side.

Wind speeds reportedly reached over 72 km/h, NSSR reported. Berger Jacobsen, chairman of the Naddoddur boat club in the Faroe Islands, said everyone was shocked by Tuesday's tragedy.

The Viking expedition had reportedly been postponed for several days due to bad weather and only set off on Saturday. The crew reportedly included four Swiss, an American and a Norwegian from the Faroe Islands.

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