UK woman dropped into sea in botched cruise rescue

[April 21, 2011]  OSLO, Norway (AP) -- Police in Norway are investigating what happened when rescuers dropped an elderly British woman into the frigid Norwegian Sea while taking her off a cruise ship after she became ill.

Police spokesman Per Thomassen says the woman was a passenger on the Ocean Countess in late March when she got sick. A rescue ship was called in to bring her to a hospital.

Norwegian Sea Rescue spokesman Ernst Larsen says she fell into the sea while being transported to the rescue ship and was in the water for four minutes before rescuers plucked her out. Larsen said the woman is still being treated at a British hospital, but he didn't know her condition.

He says his rescue organization also is conducting an internal review of the accident.

[Associated Press]

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