14 airlifted to safety as Irish Sea ferry runs aground

Fourteen people have been airlifted to safety from a Irish Sea ferry that ran aground on the English coast last night.

The master of the Riverdance asked for help evacuating them when the ship began to rotate broadside on the beach.

The ro-ro ferry was listing 30 degrees.

Attempts to refloat the ship had failed and it was felt there was a risk that a helicopter rescue would be impossible if it was delayed any longer.

Pollution is now the major concern of the coastguard.

Mark Clark, of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said on Thursday: "It's going to be very difficult overnight to see that, but we will have people out.

"We do need to find out what kind of oils were on board."

Speaking during the rescue operation John Matthews, from Fleetwood RNLI, described conditions in the Irish Sea as "horrendous", with seven-metre waves and winds of up to 60mph.

The ship was in difficulties over a bank known as Shell Flat, Mr Matthews said, which causes powerful banking waves.

The vessel was in shallow water, so it was unlikely to sink, he said.

Mr Clark said that some of the crew on board are Polish. Those airlifted to safety were taken to Blackpool airport to recover and be assessed for injuries.