Ill cruise passenger tipped overboard

A 73-year-old British cruise passenger is recovering after accidentally being dropped into the sea.

Janet Richardson from Penrith in Cumbria had been taken ill during a northern lights coastal tour of Norway on the Ocean Countess when the accident occurred.

Because she suffered from diabetes, when Richardson complained of feeling unwell the ship's captain decided she should be taken off to hospital straight away.

But as emergency rescue workers were transporting her via stretcher off the ship and onto a smaller vessel, she toppled into the freezing cold sea, thought to have been about -3.

According to the Daily Telegraph, her husband George, 78, looked on in horror as the drama unfolded. His wife was in the water for eight minutes before being rescued. She was taken to hospital in Bodø, Norway but has since been admitted to hospital in Carlisle.

Operator Cruise & Maritime Voyages told the Telegraph: "The lady was very seriously ill and the captain and the ship's doctor decided that she needed to disembark as a matter of emergency because the ship was not due to dock at its next calling point until the following day.

"Under these circumstances a rescue was launched and, although the ship is equipped with a helipad, the Norwegian rescue crews decided to launch a sea rescue. Unfortunately, during this rescue the lady did fall into the sea, but she was then taken to hospital and treated.

"Although we do not own this ship, we have been in contact with the ship's owners and the Norwegian rescue authorities and a full investigation is taking place."

With permission from Travelmole