Man dies onboard cruise liner off Portrush

The man, who is believed to be in his 50s and a foreign national, took ill on board the Wind Surf on Wednesday, hours after the ship arrived on the north coast.

Througout the day guests were being ferried on to shore to allow them to visit Portrush.

However, later in the afternoon a man was seen being removed from the ship abpard the smaller boat and taken to the harbour as people, understood to be the ship’s staff, performed CPR and chest massage on him.

Police who arrived were taken to the ship and were later seen returning to the harbour with a woman, believed to be the man’s partner, and a number of suitcases.

The Wind Surf, which is distinctive for its five masts standing over 160 feet tall, was expected to set sail for Scotland at around 9pm yesterday.

Police last night confirmed they were aware of the death but could not reveal any further details about its cause.