A NORTH-EAST sailor who was killed in a freak accident when he fell under a boat was days away from celebrating five years in the Navy.

Marine Engineer Michael McCarthy, 21, fell from a private boat as it prepared to dock at Kingstown, the capital of St Vincent, in the Caribbean.

He suffered fatal injuries caused by the vessel's propellers after he was sucked under water, a Royal Navy spokesman said.

Michael joined the Navy in 1998 and was just about to celebrate five years' service in the next few days.

Yesterday, his father, Shaun, 44, speaking from the family home in Felling, Gateshead, said: "The whole family is proud of Michael. He was a well-liked and respected young man. He went to the Navy a boy and came out a man."

Mr McCarthy has been comforting his wife, Lynne, following the tragedy.

He said his son - known as Little Mickey - had recently been working alongside the US Coastguard, tackling drug-runners and helping the victims of hurricanes around the Caribbean.

Michael and fellow crew members of HMS Manchester were returning from a diving trip when the accident happened.

The Royal Navy spokesman said: "Michael suffered severe neck injuries from the vessel's propellers and, despite attention from the medical officer and first aid team aboard, he was pronounced dead at the scene."

HMS Manchester's commanding officer, Commander Richard Ingram, said: "The ship's company is a close-knit community. We all feel this loss and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time."

Police in St Vincent said the boat was less than 100 metres from HMS Manchester, a type-42 destroyer, when Michael fell from the back and was sucked under the water.

A police investigation is under way and it is understood the sailor's body will be flown home in the next few days.

A full military funeral is expected in Felling, Gateshead.