An elderly cruise ship passenger died after receiving delayed care for a spinal injury sustained during a violent storm, according to a Marine Accident Investigation Board (MAIB) report. Trevor Gilks, 85, was injured on board Saga Cruises' Spirit of Discovery in the Bay of Biscay on November 4, 2023.
Key Takeaways
A cruise ship passenger died after delayed care for a spinal injury sustained during a violent storm. The Marine Accident Investigation Board (MAIB) report criticized both the medical treatment and the captain's decision to cross rough seas.
- Cruise passenger Trevor Gilks, 85, died four days after suffering a spinal injury in a November 2023 storm.
- MAIB report cited 'suboptimal' care and delayed diagnosis of severe spinal injury.
- Captain's decision to cross the Bay of Biscay in high waves was not effectively challenged by crew or shore teams.
- Saga Cruises apologized but disagreed with some of the MAIB report's conclusions.
Gilks suffered a severe spinal injury when his armchair toppled over as the ship rolled violently during force 11 winds. He was initially helped back into his chair by a nurse and later fitted with a neck collar four hours after the incident. X-rays were taken but lacked sufficient detail for a proper diagnosis, according to the MAIB report.
The report concluded that delays in identifying Gilks' severe spinal injury led to suboptimal treatment that may have worsened his condition. Two days post-injury, Gilks was found paralyzed, and a doctor recommended medical evacuation. However, the captain decided against a helicopter transfer due to high seas and opted to disembark him in Portsmouth instead.
More than 100 passengers were injured during the storm, which caused the ship to lose propulsion. The MAIB report also criticized the captain's decision to cross the Bay of Biscay despite weather information providers advising against it. The crew and operational teams ashore did not effectively challenge this decision.
Saga Cruises expressed sorrow for the distress caused but disagreed with some of the MAIB report's conclusions. The company stated that safety is their top priority and that they have taken necessary actions to enhance policies and procedures following the incident. The MAIB made several recommendations, including requiring cruise ships to be fitted with electronic devices measuring stability.
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