Man Airlifted from DFDS Ferry After Medical Emergency Off Newhaven Coast

A man was airlifted to hospital on Sunday morning (20 July) following a medical emergency aboard a DFDS ferry shortly after it departed Newhaven Port en route to Dieppe.

The incident occurred at around 11:35am while the ferry was a few miles south of Newhaven. The vessel turned back towards the coast as emergency services were dispatched.

Full Emergency Response by Sea and Air

The Newhaven RNLI all-weather lifeboat launched, while HM Coastguard helicopter Rescue 163 from Lydd flew to the vessel’s location.

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard told Sussex News:

“A man reported with a medical condition on a passenger vessel off Newhaven at about 11:35am on 20 July was airlifted by an HM Coastguard helicopter.

He was passed into the care of the South East Ambulance Service in Brighton for transfer to the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

Newhaven and Shoreham Coastguard Rescue Teams were sent to support, as well as the RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat from Newhaven.”

DFDS Confirms Onboard Medical Incident

A spokesperson for DFDS, the operator of the Newhaven–Dieppe route, confirmed there had been a medical emergency on board but did not state whether the individual was a passenger or crew member, or the nature of the condition.

The man’s current condition is unknown.

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