Press Release

Red Cross support Riverdance crew and passengers after ferry runs aground

1 February 2008

Red Cross volunteers helped support traumatized crew members and passengers late last night after high winds forced the Riverdance ferry aground in Blackpool.

A total of 19 crew members and four passengers were flown to safety from the Irish sea and were greeted by eight Red Cross volunteers who had set up a rest centre at Blackpool Airport. The volunteers were immediately on the scene to offer the crew members and passengers emotional support. One of the volunteers escorted an injured passenger to hospital.

Eric Lee, community support officer for the British Red Cross in Blackpool was at the scene. He said: “The passengers and crew members were cold, wet and traumatized on arrival and we did everything we could to support them. We talked to them, offered them cups of tea and calmed everyone down. Fortunately they were all in much better condition when they left the airport.”

The roll-on roll-off ferry was carrying trucks and trailers from Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland to Heysham in Lancashire when it was struck by a freak wave.

Red Cross volunteers receive continual professional training to offer emotional support in times of crisis.