A dramatic medical evacuation from a cruise ship in the North Sea almost turned to tragedy when the stretcher carrying the passenger plunged into the water.
The incident occurred last week when a woman suffering from internal bleeding was being transferred from the Ocean Countess to a Norwegian rescue vessel.
Fellow passenger Colin Prescott, of Burscough, Lancashire, who took the picture (above) told his local paper: ” The vessels, which hadn’t been latched together, suddenly moved apart by several feet just as they were transferring her, which caused the rescue crews to drop the stretcher into the sea.
“We’d been told the sea was about minus three degrees that day. The rescue boat came back round to pick her up and she was taken to hospital, but she was in the water for about eight minutes or so, and I really want to find out whether she’s OK.”
Ocean Countess, operated by Cruise & Maritime Voyages, was on a cruise from Hull to Norway to see the Northern Lights.
A spokesman for the company said: “On Tuesday 29 March a female British passenger on board the cruise ship Ocean Countess became ill and was in need of immediate medical disembarkation.
“The vessel’s position was about 20 nautical miles off the coast of the Norwegian and port of Bodo. The vessel contacted the local Norwegian emergency services and a Search and Rescue vessel was sent for the disembarkation of the passenger.
“While the disembarkation was taking place about three miles from the shore the passenger unfortunately fell into the water. The crew of the Search and Rescue vessel picked up the passenger from the water and transferred her to hospital in Bodo. The passenger’s condition is currently stable.
The safety and comfort of our passengers is of paramount importance and the circumstances of the incident are under investigation.”
About the Author: John Honeywell
John Honeywell is a travel writer specialising in cruise ships and cruise travel. Winner of CLIA UK's Contribution to Cruise award 2017.
“The safety and comfort of our passengers is of paramount importance….” Their inexcusable actions suggest otherwise!
i am the daugher of the lady in water.colin prescot should be ashamed of himself selling this story to the paper.how would he like this if it was his mother and his grand children read and saw the picture!!!!!
Hear, hear Debra because quite clearly it should be you who makes the money for the story!! thats what you’re more worried about
Keith,
Why would Debra want to make money off her Mother nearly drowning? They may do that in parts of the world where you and Colin Prescot come from, but not here!
Debra is more concerned with her Mother getting better than earning a few quid off this terrible accident.
Judging from your comment, YOU would obviously be more concerned with the money than the health of your mother if you were in that situation. Just because you have no morals, it doesnt mean other people don’t.
How disgusting of Keith Andrews to say Debra is after money. The lady in the sea is a good friend of mine and as she is still very ill our only concern is to see her get better.
Colin Prescott is sick. Hope he suffers the same as this poor lady. I wouldnt p*** on him if he was on fire! Keith Andrews is obviously a complete tool, no more words needed
I was very shocked to hear about this incident and also that Colin and Sheila witnessed also as I know them personally and I know that they would have been very distressed with the situation. How can you be sure they have “sold” the story? I can assure you that they are very respectable, caring people and I`m sure they will of had the ladys best interests at heart(they said they where worried for her condition). I think the comments against them are totally uncalled for. Debra, I sincerely send get well wishes for your Mum.
My sympathies to the lady in the water, however I feel the public need to see these incidents and a photograph says it all. If there was money involved or not I dont know, but my parents where on this ship just the month before, and to think that a ship to ship transfer without ropes or support harness, is simply unforgivable. I notice the video of your mother falling has been removed, I assume for legal reasons. Thankfully this photograph will assist your mother’s claim for compensation when she makes a recovery
My sympathies to the lady in the water, however I feel the public need to see these incidents and a photograph says it all. If there was money involved or not I dont know, but my parents where on this ship just the month before, and to think that a ship to ship transfer without ropes or support harness, is simply unforgivable. I notice the video of your mother falling has been removed, I assume for legal reasons. Thankfully this photograph will assist your mother’s claim for compensation when she makes a recovery. You have colin Prescot to thank for that