A man in his 50s was airlifted from a cruise ship after becoming ill on Friday.

Flight Lieutenant Doug Larkam from the air-sea rescue team at Wattisham air base said the passenger had been on the Balmoral ship operated by Fred Olsen.

“They were about 50 miles off the coast of Southwold,” he said.

“One of their passengers, a gentleman in his 50s, had suffered a stroke.

“He was looked after by the doctor on the ship. We were called out and winched our paramedic to the vessel.”

Flt Lt Larkam said the paramedic decided the man needed to be evacuated from the ship and he and his wife were winched aboard the helicopter.

They were then flown in the Sea King to Ipswich Hospital where the man was able to get further treatment.

The drama unfolded just before noon, with the helicopter taking off shortly after.