The report into the death on an elderly cruise ship guest has found he received substandard care from injuries sustained during a violent storm.
Trevor Gilks, aged 85, died a few days after falling backwards in a chair during the storm.
He sustained serious spinal injuries but the Marine Accident Investigation Board report stated he received ‘suboptimal’ care.
It happened in 2023 on the Saga ship, Spirit of Discovery in the Bay of Biscay.
More than 100 guests were injured including seven with serious injuries that required hospital treatment.
The ship lost propulsion during the storm, and the captain made a decision not to airlift Gilks due to the weather risks.
X-rays were taken of his spine and he was fitted with a neck collar.
However, the report said medical personnel were unable to diagnose the extent of the injury as a sideway x-ray was not taken.
Gilks became paralysed two days later before the ship docked back in the UK at Portsmouth.
There was a ‘delay in identifying that he suffered a severe spinal injury and led to him receiving suboptimal treatment,” the report stated.
The MAIB report also had concerns over the captain’s decision not to authorize a medical evacuation before the ship returned to Portsmouth.
“Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Mr Gilks and all the guests and crew affected by this incident, and we are sorry for the distress they suffered,” Saga said in response.
The cruise line took issue with some of the report’s findings.
“Safety is our number one priority. Following the incident, we promptly took all necessary actions to enhance our policies and procedures, work recognised by the MAIB in this report.”
