UPDATED: The Coastguard Rescue Helicopter from Lee-on-Solent is attempting to winch a suspected stroke victim from the luxury Queen Victoria cruise ship off the coast of the Isle of Wight tonight (Sunday).
The captain of the Cunard-operated vessel requested the assistance of Solent Coastguard shortly before 21:30, resulting in the rescue helicopter flying low across the Island to a position several miles south of Blackgang Chine.
Emergency personnel are now attempting to winch the casualty – believed to be a man in his 70s – from the deck of the Queen Victoria.
The cruise liner has moved further south, near Ventnor.
UPDATE @ 22:45 – Coastguard Rescue 175 has safely winched the casualty on board and has landed at Lords Hill landing site in Southampton, where the casualty is set to be transferred to Southampton General Hospital for medical treatment.
The Queen Victoria will now continue its planned route to Bermuda.
