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North Sea passenger ferry hit by fire | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A number of people have been taken off a ferry by RAF helicopters in the North Sea after a fire broke out on board. | |
Sqn Ldr Dave Webster said at least four people suffering from smoke inhalation had been winched off the MS King Seaways ferry, 30 miles north-east of Flamborough Head, in East Yorkshire. | |
Some 946 passengers and 27 crew had been on board when the fire - since put out - started at about 22:00 GMT. | |
Humberside Police said it was thought a passenger had set fire to a cabin. | |
It is not clear at this stage if the fire was started deliberately or accidentally. | |
Humber Coastguard put the numbers who had been airlifted to hospital in Scarborough to be treated for smoke inhalation at seven crew members and one passenger. | |
Two RAF helicopters were sent to the area from Leconfield, near Beverley. | Two RAF helicopters were sent to the area from Leconfield, near Beverley. |
Sqn Ldr Webster said that when the RAF was called for assistance at 22:40 GMT, it was initially thought 23 people would need to be winched to safety but that figure had been downgraded. | Sqn Ldr Webster said that when the RAF was called for assistance at 22:40 GMT, it was initially thought 23 people would need to be winched to safety but that figure had been downgraded. |
RAF crew had lifted those affected off the ferry within an hour. | RAF crew had lifted those affected off the ferry within an hour. |
Two lifeboats sent from Bridlington and Filey to help with the rescue operation have since been stood down, the RNLI tweeted. | |
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