Irish Coastguard abandons long-range rescue mission to cruise ship

The Irish Coastguard helicopter on its way to rescue an elderly man taken ill on a cruise ship hundreds of kilometres off the coast of Ireland has been told to turn around.

A spokesperson for the Irish Coast Guard has told BreakingNews that the medical evacuation of the patient was cancelled after advice from two doctors on board the ship.

The assessment by the doctors came as the Irish Coastguard helicopter was refuelling on an oil rig on its journey to the vessel which was some 330 nautical miles (611km) from the coast around lunchtime.

The 79-year-old man is to remain on board the MS Marina until the it reaches its destination in Cobh Co, Cork later this evening or early tomorrow morning.