Grave fears for cruise ship passenger who fell overboard – as Air Force chopper joins frantic search

Grave fears for cruise ship passenger who fell overboard – as Air Force chopper joins frantic search

  • The passenger fell from the Norwegian Jewel at about 7pm on Sunday
  • Two helicopters and two yachts were deployed to find the missing passenger
  • An Air Force NH90 will search overnight using heat-sensing equipment

There are grave fears for a cruise ship passenger who went overboard as an Air Force chopper joins the frantic search.

The passenger fell from the Norwegian Jewel at about 7pm on Sunday near Mahia Peninsula, off the east coast of the New Zealand’s North Island. 

Rescue Co-ordination Centre spokesman Vince Cholewa said the ship is carrying out its ‘man overboard procedure’, New Zealand Herald reported.

The passenger fell from the Norwegian Jewel at about 7pm on Sunday near Mahia Peninsula (stock image of the Norwegian Jewel)

‘They’ve done a muster of the passengers, they’re reviewing CCTV footage and they’re carrying out their own search onboard,’ Mr Cholewa said.

‘The sea state is good for searching, however the concern is the approaching darkness.’ 

A helicopter from Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust arrived on the scene to search by 8pm.

A second helicopter from Eastland Rescue Trust got there soon after.

A helicopter from Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust arrived at the Peninsula near New Zealand's North Island at 8pm

A helicopter from Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust arrived at the Peninsula near New Zealand’s North Island at 8pm

They were both replaced with an Air Force NH90 was called in from nearby town Ohakea.

The chopper will continue searching overnight using heat-sensing equipment.

A container ship is using powerful lights on the water.

Two yachts have also taken part in the rescue mission led by Maritime New Zealand.

The Jewel can carry up to 2376 passengers and is 294 metres long.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk