Man airlifted to safety after 'falling overboard' on Belfast to Liverpool Stena Line ferry

A man has been airlifted from the water following an incident on a Stena Line ferry.

A Stena Line ship was travelling from Belfast to Liverpool on January 20 during the early hours of the morning when there were reports of a missing man. Emergency services were called including Merseyside Police and the coastguard.

An eyewitness told the Liverpool Echo they believed a person had fallen overboard. A spokesperson for the HM Coastguard said an alarm was raised shortly after 8am and a search was carried out. At around 11am, a man was airlifted out of the water and taken to hospital. It is understood the vessel continued with its normal operation.

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They added: "HM Coastguard coordinated the response to a report of a missing man from a passenger vessel off Liverpool. The alarm was raised at about 8.15am on 20 January and a search carried out.

"The HM Coastguard helicopter from Caernarfon was sent as well as RNLI all-weather lifeboats from Hoylake, Rhyl, Lytham St Annes and Llandudno. A man was airlifted from the water by the HM Coastguard helicopter at about 11.20am, transferred to an ambulance and taken to hospital.

"Crosby Coastguard Rescue Team assisted by securing a helicopter landing site. Merseyside Police were informed."

Stena Line confirmed that there had been an incident on the vessel Stena Estrid en route from Belfast to Birkenhead on Saturday morning, January 20, but would not comment further on the incident. However, they added: "The vessel will continue with normal operation."