On schedule, the first cruise ship of the season in Dartmouth, Serenissima sailed almost silently into harbour this morning, Thursday, May 10th.

On board were 92 passengers. One passenger, 82 years of age and an Exeter resident, was injured the prior evening.

According to one of the crew of the Serenissima, “The movement of the ship had caused the passenger to fall and, although not on stairs, nor a fall from an elevated position, he broke his hip.”

Ian Pollard, Deputy Station Officer of Dartmouth Coastguard was in attendance on the quayside as preparations were in place for the transfer of the injured passenger and his wife. Ian said, “There is a casualty with a suspected hip injury.

“The lifeboat has taken two paramedics to transfer the man with RNLI help to the Dart Link boat and then to the jetty.”

The injured passenger and his wife, were taken by ambulance to Exeter hospital.

The other passengers disembarked to be welcomed by Dartmouth Town Crier and his wife, Lez and Liz Ellis.