An investigation revealed that a British passenger aboard a Saga cruise ship suffered a severe spinal injury during a violent storm and subsequently passed away due to inadequate care at sea. The incident occurred when the ship encountered rough seas off the UK coast in late 2023, resulting in over 100 injuries among passengers.
The passenger, identified as Trevor Gilks, aged 85, tragically died a few days after falling off a chair on the Saga Spirit of Discovery during the storm. Mr. Gilks, who was on vacation with his wife, a wheelchair user, was thrown from his chair when the ship experienced violent rolling due to the storm.
Following the fall, Mr. Gilks received initial medical attention onboard, including the placement of a neck collar and an X-ray. However, the investigation found that he was not given proper spinal care, as he was not placed on a spinal board, which is standard practice for suspected spinal injuries.
Despite showing symptoms of a worsening condition, including tingling limbs and loss of feeling in his legs, Mr. Gilks was not evacuated from the ship promptly due to the risks associated with helicopter transfer in the rough weather conditions. Tragically, Mr. Gilks passed away on November 8, with the cause of death determined as a complete cervical spine injury.
The Marine Accident Investigation Board report highlighted the captain’s decision-making process during the incident, emphasizing the challenges faced in ensuring passenger safety amid adverse weather conditions. The report also recommended measures to improve vessel stability and enhance crew decision-making processes to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Saga Cruises expressed apologies to Mr. Gilks’ family for the distress caused and emphasized their commitment to prioritizing safety. The cruise line acknowledged the need to learn from the incident and implement necessary changes to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The report concluded that the accident highlighted important lessons regarding vessel safety, crew response, and medical protocols, urging the cruise industry to address these issues to avoid similar incidents. Saga Cruises affirmed its dedication to enhancing policies and procedures in line with the recommendations outlined in the report.
