stephen cassidy cruise

Weird But True
Sex & Relationships
Viral Trends
Human Interest
Fashion & Beauty
Food & Drink

trending now in Lifestyle

The one shocking mistake that led to a US tourist's staggering...

Brazilian woman brazenly wheels elderly man's corpse into bank to...

Inside a 'radical' 20-person polyamorous relationship where wild...

I drank nothing but orange juice for 40 days — here's what it...

Bride defends ‘rude’ wedding attire rule

Mom 'terrified' to discover baby she was caring for in hospital...

I’m a dietitian — here’s the secret to intermittent fasting

Dear Abby: My husband's best friend is dating his niece

I was airlifted 800 miles off a cruise over a misdiagnosis — and missed my anniversary.

View Author Archive
Get author RSS feed

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

Doctors went a little overboard on this cruise ship.

A vacationer in the UK claimed that he was unwillingly airlifted to a hospital 800 miles away after the vessel’s physician mistook his “pulled muscle” for a serious infection.

“I just can’t understand it — I was feeling totally panicked and angry,” lamented Stephen Cassidy, 60, to South West News Service.

The Dorset, England, native had reportedly spent £3,598 (about $4,464) on a two-week cruise to Norway with Princess Cruises to celebrate his wife Carol’s 60th birthday, as well as their 40th wedding anniversary.

It was smooth sailing until midway through the voyage when the music teacher felt a pain in his thigh.

As he’d had a hip replacement on that side, the concerned castaway visited the ship’s doctor, who, after conducting a physical examination and taking an X-ray, determined that something was awry.

Stephen Cassidy and his wife Carol on the cruise.

“The ship’s doctor told me that something in one of the blood tests he carried out suggested I had infection in my hip,” recalled the former army reservist, who was subsequently administered IV drips three times a day for nearly a week.

The cruise ship was originally slated to moor in Iceland, where Cassidy could visit a doctor before coming back aboard. However, the boat was unable to stop, so the physician instead sent the orthopedic X-rays to a surgeon, who determined that there was nothing to worry about and that he could stay aboard.

All seemed hunky-dory until a nurse asked the former police dog handler his weight and told him that his wife needed to pack his bag because he had to leave.

The Brit was devastated. “I asked if I could leave the medical center to pack my own bag — they said no and I felt like a prisoner,” recalled the aghast Cassidy, who realized he was going to miss his wife’s birthday.

“When he said you’re going off, I looked at my wife and said ‘have a happy birthday tomorrow’ — the doctor obviously knew he’d caused great deal of upset,” the besieged senior said.

Cassidy is airlifted off the cruiseship by helicopter.

In addition, from that point on, the medical staff went “from being friendly” to “suddenly very hostile,” according to the patient.

Despite being able to walk, Cassidy was allegedly put in a wheelchair and wheeled out onto the deck, where he and two other unwell passengers were evacuated off the ship via helicopter.

The trio was then flown some 800 miles to the Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick, Scotland, for a medical examination.

That’s when the patient learned the appalling truth: He didn’t have an infection and the injury was most likely a pulled muscle.

His cruise of a lifetime had been cut short over the most innocuous of injuries.

“Subsequently we were all told that none of us were in a medical emergency and I was told I had a muscle sprain and nothing more,” lamented the flabbergasted Brit. “I never should have been medically disembarked from the ship — I was absolutely fuming.”

The financial injuries he incurred were far more grievous. In addition to blowing thousands on a cruise that was aborted halfway through, Cassidy had also forked out more than $1,000 for flights home and a night in a hotel.

And while his insurance company reportedly covered the medical expenses, Cassidy felt like the cruise liner should’ve footed the bill because they didn’t consider his anxiety and depression when forcing him to disembark.

Stephen Cassidy and his wife Carol before the disaster.

“I feel Princess should be paying this because I’m now 60 and I’ve got pre-existing conditions,” he lamented. “It’s only matter of time before premiums go up or companies stop covering me.”

When approached for comment, a Princess Cruises spokesperson refused to discuss the case in detail, simply saying that Cassidy’s allegations were “without merit,” the Daily Mail reported.

Share this article:

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Man airlifted from dream cruise holiday… only to find out he pulled a muscle

Share this with

A cruise ship passenger who was airlifted to hospital against his wishes says the ship’s doctors misdiagnosed him with an infection – when all he had was a pulled muscle.

Stephen Cassidy, 60, was enjoying the four-week Princess Cruises trip to Norway to celebrate his wife Carol’s 60th birthday and their 40th wedding anniversary.

Halfway through the trip Stephen began to experience pain in his left thigh, so he visited the ship’s doctor because he’d previously had a hip replacement on the same side.

Following a physical examination and an x-ray, the doctor said there were signs which suggested he had contracted an infection in his hip.

Stephen was placed on an IV drip twice a day, increasing to three times a day, between May 19 and 24.

Initially the ship was set to dock in Iceland so Stephen could see a doctor before re-joining the cruise, however the ship wasn’t able to stop.

The ship’s doctor then consulted with an orthopaedic surgeon online and sent the x-rays to be analysed by email.

The x-ray report indicated there was nothing to worry about and the surgeon suggested Stephen should stay on the ship, he claims.

But on May 24 Stephen, from Poole in Dorset, was asked his weight, and claims his wife was told to pack his bag.

Stephen Cassidy and his wife Carol on their dream cruise holiday. See SWNS story SWTPcruise. A man airlifted from a cruise ship to remote hospital due to a suspected infection says he ?felt like a prisoner? - and that doctors in hospital told him it was actually a pulled muscle. Stephen Cassidy, 60, was airlifted off a cruise he was enjoying with his wife, Carol, 61, after the ship?s doctor suspected he had an infection in his hip. However, after his dream holiday had been cut short, he was told by medics in the hospital that there was ?no sign? of an infection ? and that he had most likely pulled a muscle. Stephen says he was left 800 miles from home with no support from the cruise liner and that he ?felt like a prisoner? when he was not allowed to leave the ship?s medical centre before being airlifted.

When he asked if he could pack his own bag, Stephen was told he couldn’t leave the medical centre.

He says he was then placed in a wheelchair, even though he could walk, and wheeled onto the deck where he was airlifted to hospital with two other passengers.

They were flown to Gilbert Bain hospital in Shetland where he was told there were no signs of infection – and he most likely just had a pulled muscle.

Stephen paid £870 for flights home and a night in a hotel after he was left in the Scottish hospital hundreds of miles from home.

He believes Princess Cruises should cover those costs.

Stephen said: ‘When he said you’re going off, I looked at my wife and said “have a happy birthday tomorrow” – the doctor obviously knew he’d caused great deal of upset.

‘From being friendly they were all suddenly very hostile.

‘Subsequently we were all told that none of us were in a medical emergency and I was told I had a muscle sprain and nothing more.

‘The travel insurers confirmed they are covering this.

‘I feel Princess should be paying this because I’m now 60 and I’ve got pre-existing conditions.

‘It’s only matter of time before premiums go up or companies stop covering me.’

Princess Cruises has been contacted for comment.

A spokesperson for the company reportedly refused to discuss Mr Cassidy’s case in detail but said the allegations were ‘without merit’.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected] .

For more stories like this, check our news page .

Sign Up for News Updates

Get your need-to-know latest news, feel-good stories, analysis and more.

Get us in your feed

Poole dad airlifted from Princess cruise ship against his wishes over a 'pulled muscle'

The trip was supposed to celebrate his wife's 60th birthday and their 40th wedding anniversary

16:24, 5 JUN 2023
Updated 16:31, 5 JUN 2023

Never miss local or breaking news again by signing up to our Daily Newsletter

We have more newsletters

A husband on a trip of a lifetime was airlifted to hospital 800 miles from home against his wishes when the cruise ship doctor misdiagnosed his "pulled muscle", he claims. Stephen and Carol Cassidy, from Poole , paid £3,598 for a two-week cruise to Norway with Princess Cruises for her 60th birthday and their 40th wedding anniversary.

The 60-year-old was airlifted off a cruise he was enjoying with his wife, Carol, 61, after the ship’s doctor suspected he had an infection in his hip, he said. However, the 60-year-old claims he was later told by medics in the hospital there was "no sign" of an infection – and that he had most likely pulled a muscle.

Stephen says he was left in Shetland, 800 miles from home, and "felt like a prisoner" when he was not allowed to leave the ship’s medical centre before being airlifted. Now, Stephen says that the experience left him feeling panicked and angry – and he missed out on celebrating his wife’s birthday.

READ MORE - Bournemouth beach deaths: Lack of clarity from police has fuelled 'wild speculation'

Stephen, a music teacher and former army reservist and police dog handler, said: “I just can't understand it - I was feeling totally panicked and angry.

“I asked if I could leave the medical centre to pack my own bag – they said no and I felt like a prisoner. The ship’s doctor told me that something in one of the blood tests he carried out suggested I had infection in my hip.

“I never should have been medically disembarked from the ship – I was absolutely fuming.”

Halfway through the two-week trip, Stephen began to experience pain in his left thigh. He had previously had a hip replacement on that side, so visited the ship’s doctor.

After a physical examination and an x-ray, the doctor determined there were signs to suggest Stephen had contracted an infection in his hip. He was placed on an IV drip twice a day - then three times per day - during between May 19 and 24.

Initially, it was planned that the ship would dock in Iceland and Stephen could visit a doctor on land before re-joining the cruise, however the boat was unable to stop. Instead, the ship’s doctor consulted with an orthopaedic surgeon online and sent the x-rays to be analysed – with the x-ray report indicating there was nothing to worry about and the surgeon suggesting Stephen should stay on the ship, he claims.

However, on May 24, Stephen says he was asked his weight by nurses and claims his wife was told to go and pack his bag. And when he asked if he could pack his own bag, Stephen says he was told he could not leave the medical centre.

He was then placed in a wheelchair – despite being able to walk – and wheeled onto the deck, where he was airlifted into a helicopter along with two other unwell passengers. The trio were flown to Lerwick where they were delivered to Gilbert Bain hospital and assessed.

To Stephen’s frustration, he was told there were no signs of infection, and he was most likely suffering from a pulled muscle. Stephen paid £870 for flights home and a night in a hotel.

He says he believes Princess Cruises should cover the costs and the doctor did not take his diagnosis of anxiety and depression into consideration when offloading him from the ship. “When he said you’re going off, I looked at my wife and said 'have a happy birthday tomorrow' – the doctor obviously knew he’d caused great deal of upset,” said Stephen.

“From being friendly they were all suddenly very hostile. Subsequently we were all told that none of us were in a medical emergency and I was told I had a muscle sprain and nothing more.

“The travel insurers confirmed they are covering this. I feel Princess should be paying this because I’m now 60 and I’ve got pre-existing conditions. It’s only matter of time before premiums go up or companies stop covering me.

Princess Cruises has been contacted for comment. A spokesperson for the company reportedly refused to discuss Mr Cassidy's case in detail but said the allegations were "without merit", according to the Mail on Sunday.

Got a story to share or an issue for us to investigate? Email us at [email protected] to share your pictures, stories and information.

You can stay up-to-date on the top news near you with Dorset Live's FREE newsletters – enter your email address at the top of the page or sign up to our newsletters here .

Bournemouth beach: Two children 'tragically' die after incident in water
Passengers onboard Dorset Belle looked on at 'empty' Bournemouth beach as tragedy unfolded
Bournemouth beach deaths: Police seal off pleasure boat previously seen making trips in area
North Dorset MP claimed hundreds of pounds in driving fines on expenses
Two men rushed to hospital after serious collision between car and pedestrians
Most Recent

Cruise ship passenger airlifted to hospital 800 miles from home - and he wasn't even ill

Stephen Cassidy was left stranded 800 miles from home after being removed from the luxury cruise which he had booked as a joint birthday celebration with his wife, Carol

Steve Cassidy and his wife Carol went on the cruise to celebrate their joint birthdays and wedding anniversary

12:43, 4 Jun 2023
Updated 12:51, 4 Jun 2023

A furious holidaymaker has blasted the cruise line that turned a dream vacation into a holiday from hell after he was airlifted from the ship against his wishes.

Stephen Cassidy was left stranded 800 miles from home after being removed from the luxury cruise which he had booked as a joint birthday celebration with his wife, Carol.

He was flown by the coastguard to a hospital on Shetland, despite telling medics it was unnecessary, after a misdiagnosis by the ship’s doctor.

The cruise ship’s on-board doctor had told Mr Cassidy he was suffering with a serious infection but on arriving at the nearest hospital , in Shetland, he was unsurprised to learn it was nothing worse than a strained muscle.

The unwanted helicopter ride meant Mr Cassidy missed his wife’s birthday and was left stranded on Shetland, forced to pay for two flights to get back to his home in Poole.

Mr Cassidy says he blames the cruise line for his “rotten” experience and is asking for the company to refund him the cost of his ruined holiday and the two flights home.

'It was rotten for my wife and myself to be wrenched apart under those circumstances. It ruined our holiday and cost me a fortune to get home again.’ he said.

'I didn't feel like I had an infection – I just had a sore leg. The doctor misdiagnosed me and caused so much devastation.

The couple had paid £3,598 for the two week cruise visiting Iceland and the Norwegian fjords from Southampton aboard the Sky Princess. The pair, who run a music teaching business, booked the trip to celebrate their 60th birthdays and 40th wedding anniversary; it was their first holiday since lockdown.

Princess Cruises claim the massive ship, which has 19 decks and 1,830 cabins has “medical staff [which] includes doctors and nurses capable of caring for a broad range of medical conditions”.

A week into their trip Mr Cassidy paid a visit to the ship’s medical center complaining of a pain in his leg - doctors told him it could be related to a hip replacement he had previously had.

'I asked if it could be sciatica because I had had that before,' he told the Mail . '[The ship doctor] said it could be, but he had to treat me for an infection because it could possibly be that.

'[He] told me I had an infection in my prosthetic hip, which could be really nasty and would need scans and possibly surgery.'

After spending three days on antibiotics, costing £2,400 on his medical insurance, Mr Cassidy was shocked to learn on May 24 that a coastguard helicopter had been called to airlift him to shore.

Within minutes Mr Cassidy was up on deck where the former Army reservist was winched into the helicopter as it hovered over the ship. Along whith two other passengers he was flown to Lerwick, the nearest hospital.

At the hospital doctors told a frustrated Mr Cassidy that it was indeed just a muscle strain.

He added: 'I was never in need of any surgery, I didn't need to see a surgeon and I didn't need scans which the on-board doctor said I did.'

The two other men flown off the boat were also released without needing treatment after being misdiagnosed by the ship’s medical team, he claimed.

Mr Cassidy has made a complaint to Princess Cruises who have sent it to their legal team.

A spokesman for Princess Cruises refused to discuss Mr Cassidy's case in detail but said the allegations were 'without merit'.

A spokesman for HM Coastguard said: 'HM Coastguard carried out a medical evacuation as part of our duty to respond to calls for help at sea.'

MORE ON Princess Cruises Ltd. Hospitals Hip replacements Coast Guard

Get email updates with the day's biggest stories.

Cruise ship passenger airlifted 'against his wishes' and made to feel like a 'prisoner'

The trip was supposed to celebrate his wife's 60th birthday and their 40th wedding anniversary

14:49, 6 JUN 2023
Updated 14:53, 6 JUN 2023

Stephen Cassidy is airlifted off his dream cruise holiday after a doctor misdiagnosed him with a serious illness.

We have more newsletters

A cruise ship passenger claims he was airlifted to hospital 800 miles from home against his wishes when the ship doctor misdiagnosed his "pulled muscle". Stephen Cassidy, 60, was airlifted off a cruise he was enjoying with his wife, Carol, 61, after the ship’s doctor suspected he had an infection in his hip'.

However, he was later told by medics in the hospital there was "no sign" of an infection – and that he had most likely pulled a muscle, he claims. Stephen says he was left in Shetland, 800 miles from home, and "felt like a prisoner" when he was not allowed to leave the ship’s medical centre before being airlifted.

Stephen said that the experience left him feeling panicked and angry – and he missed out on celebrating his wife’s birthday. Stephen, a music teacher and former army reservist and police dog handler, said: “I just can't understand it - I was feeling totally panicked and angry.

READ MORE: Grand Designs saddest ever house will be sold to mystery buyer after all

Stephen and Carol, from Poole, Dorset, paid £3,598 for a two-week cruise to Norway with Princess Cruises for her 60th birthday and their 40th wedding anniversary. Halfway through the trip, Stephen began to experience pain in his left thigh.

He had previously had a hip replacement on that side, so visited the ship’s doctor. After a physical examination and an x-ray, the doctor determined there were signs to suggest Stephen had contracted an infection in his hip.

Stephen Cassidy and his wife Carol on their dream cruise holiday.

He was placed on an IV drip twice a day - then three times per day - during between May 19 and 24. Initially, it was planned that the ship would dock in Iceland and Stephen could visit a doctor on land before re-joining the cruise, however the boat was unable to stop.

Instead, the ship’s doctor consulted with an orthopaedic surgeon online and sent the x-rays to be analysed – with the x-ray report indicating there was nothing to worry about and the surgeon suggesting Stephen should stay on the ship, he claims.

To Stephen’s frustration, he was told there were no signs of infection, and he was most likely suffering from a pulled muscle. Stephen paid £870 for flights home and a night in a hotel.

He says he believes Princess Cruises should cover the costs and the doctor did not take his diagnosis of anxiety and depression into consideration when offloading him from the ship.

“When he said you’re going off, I looked at my wife and said 'have a happy birthday tomorrow' – the doctor obviously knew he’d caused great deal of upset,” said Stephen. From being friendly they were all suddenly very hostile.

“Subsequently we were all told that none of us were in a medical emergency and I was told I had a muscle sprain and nothing more. The travel insurers confirmed they are covering this.

“I feel Princess should be paying this because I’m now 60 and I’ve got pre-existing conditions. It’s only matter of time before premiums go up or companies stop covering me.

A spokesperson for the company reportedly refused to discuss Mr Cassidy's case in detail but said the allegations were "without merit", according to the Mail on Sunday.

'Very cold' girl rescued from River Axe after 'tombstoning'

CBBC Devon star's terrifying diagnosis that left 'lungs encased in cement'

Most Recent

Man airlifted off ship and left 800 miles from home after pulling a muscle

The ship's doctor feared he had an infection

07:19, 5 JUN 2023

We have more newsletters

A cruise ship passenger was airlifted to hospital 800 miles from home against his wishes when he pulled a muscle. Stephen Cassidy, 60, was airlifted off a cruise he was enjoying with his wife, Carol, 61, after the ship’s doctor suspected he had an infection in his hip, he said.

He was later told by medics in the hospital there was "no sign" of an infection – and that he had most likely pulled a muscle, he claims. Stephen says he was left in Shetland, 800 miles from home, and "felt like a prisoner" when he was not allowed to leave the ship’s medical centre before being airlifted.

Now, Stephen says that the experience left him feeling panicked and angry – and he missed out on celebrating his wife’s birthday. Stephen, a music teacher and former army reservist and police dog handler, said: “I just can't understand it - I was feeling totally panicked and angry.

“I never should have been medically disembarked from the ship – I was absolutely fuming.”

He was placed on an IV drip twice a day - then three times per day. Initially, it was planned that the ship would dock in Iceland and Stephen could visit a doctor on land before re-joining the cruise, however the boat was unable to stop.

Instead, the ship’s doctor consulted with an orthopaedic surgeon online and sent the x-rays to be analysed. On May 24, Stephen says he was asked his weight by nurses and claims his wife was told to go and pack his bag.

And when he asked if he could pack his own bag, Stephen says he was told he could not leave the medical centre. He was then placed in a wheelchair and wheeled onto the deck, where he was airlifted into a helicopter along with two other unwell passengers.

Stephen Cassidy is airlifted off his dream cruise holiday

The trio were flown to Lerwick where they were delivered to Gilbert Bain hospital and assessed. To Stephen’s frustration, he was told there were no signs of infection, and he was most likely suffering from a pulled muscle.

Stephen paid £870 for flights home and a night in a hotel. He says he believes Princess Cruises should cover the costs.

Stephen said: “The travel insurers confirmed they are covering this. I feel Princess should be paying this because I’m now 60 and I’ve got pre-existing conditions.

"It’s only matter of time before premiums go up or companies stop covering me."

Princess Cruises has been contacted for comment.

A spokesperson for the company said the allegations were "without merit", according to the Mail on Sunday.

Most Recent

Economy & Markets
Digital Life

Cruise Ship Passenger Forced To Be Airlifted Over Misdiagnosis; Missed Wedding Anniversary Celebration

A British man and his wife were on a two-week cruise to Norway when he felt a pain in his thigh
Stephen Cassidy was airlifted to a hospital after the ship's doctor said there was an infection in his hip
Cassidy said he learned in a Scotland hospital that it was most likely just a pulled muscle

A British man was airlifted from a cruise ship to a hospital 800 miles away after the vessel's physician allegedly misdiagnosed his "pulled muscle" as a serious infection.

Stephen Cassidy, a 60-year-old music teacher from Dorset, England, told South West News Service that he "just can't understand" the situation and was "totally panicked and angry."

Cassidy said he was on a two-week cruise to Norway with Princess Cruises to celebrate his wife Carol's 60th birthday and their 40th wedding anniversary, the New York Post reported.

But their trip went downhill after Cassidy felt a pain in his thigh, where he had a hip replacement.

Cassidy visited the ship's doctor and then underwent a physical examination and X-ray to determine what was wrong.

"The ship's doctor told me that something in one of the blood tests he carried out suggested I had infection in my hip," Cassidy alleged, adding that he was administered IV drips three times a day for nearly a week.

The cruise ship was initially slated to dock in Iceland, where Cassidy could visit a doctor before returning aboard. However, the vessel could not stop, so the physician sent Cassidy's orthopedic X-rays to a surgeon, who reportedly determined that there was nothing to worry about and that he could stay aboard.

But a nurse allegedly then asked Cassidy his weight and told his wife that she needed to pack his bag because he had to leave the cruise ship.

Cassidy, a former army reservist and police dog handler, was devastated, saying he "felt like a prisoner."

The British man realized he was going to miss his wife's birthday, so he told his wife to "have a happy birthday tomorrow," after the doctor said he needed to leave the ship.

"The doctor obviously knew he'd caused [a] great deal of upset," Cassidy claimed.

Cassidy also alleged that the medical staff then went "from being friendly" to "suddenly very hostile."

Despite being able to walk, the ship's medical staff allegedly put Cassidy in a wheelchair until they reached the ship's deck, where he and two other unwell passengers were transferred to a helicopter.

Cassidy and the other passengers were flown to Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick, Scotland, for a medical examination. In the hospital, Cassidy said he learned that he didn't have an infection and that the injury was likely a pulled muscle.

He claimed that he was "absolutely fuming" after learning he just had a "muscle sprain" and insisted that he "never should have been medically disembarked from the ship."

Cassidy's expenses from his ruined cruise ballooned after he allegedly paid more than $1,000 for flights home and a night in a hotel.

While his insurance company reportedly shouldered his medical expenses, Cassidy felt the cruise liner should have covered the bill because it didn't consider his anxiety and depression when he was allegedly forced to disembark the ship.

"I feel Princess should be paying this because I'm now 60 and I've got pre-existing conditions," Cassidy said.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Princess Cruises refused to discuss Cassidy's case but told the Daily Mail that his allegations were "without merit."

Mideast-related Oil Price Spike Threatens 'Relatively Good' Economic Outlook: IMF Chief Economist

The Reyneke vineyard near Stellenbosch is adapting to face the challenges of climate change

Wine Growers 'On Tip Of Africa' Race To Adapt To Climate Change

Russia's flag bearers Olga Fatkulina and Vadim Shipachev lead the delegation during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, at the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, on February 4, 2022.

Despite Olympic Truce, Games Wrestle With Political Fallout

The 1929 Wall Street Crash marked the start of the Great Depression in the United States

What Will The Fed Do With The Latest Inflation Numbers?

US retail sales rose 0.7 percent in March, more than analysts expected, according to government data

US Retail Sales Up More Than Expected In March

A green turtle swims at Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef

Australia's Great Barrier Reef Struggles To Survive

Brazilian Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes, pictured during the opening of the 2024 judicial session

Alexandre De Moraes: Brazil Judge In Feud With Elon Musk

Greek actress Mary Mina, playing the role of the High Priestess, lights the torch during the rehearsal of the flame lighting ceremony

Paris 2024 Games Flame To Be Lit In Ancient Olympia

In this image obtained from the US Department of Defense, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney in the Middle East region, on December 6, 2023

How The US Helped Counter Iran's Attack On Israel

Manchester City beat Luton 5-1 to go two points clear at the top of the Premier League

How The Premier League Title Race Stands With Six Games To Go

Today's news
Reviews and deals
Climate change
2024 election
Fall allergies
Health news
Mental health
Sexual health
Family health
So mini ways
Unapologetically
Buying guides

Entertainment

How to Watch
My watchlist
Stock market
Biden economy
Personal finance
Stocks: most active
Stocks: gainers
Stocks: losers
Trending tickers
World indices
US Treasury bonds
Top mutual funds
Highest open interest
Highest implied volatility
Currency converter
Basic materials
Communication services
Consumer cyclical
Consumer defensive
Financial services
Industrials
Real estate
Mutual funds
Credit cards
Credit card rates
Balance transfer credit cards
Business credit cards
Cash back credit cards
Rewards credit cards
Travel credit cards
Checking accounts
Online checking accounts
High-yield savings accounts
Money market accounts
Personal loans
Student loans
Car insurance
Home buying
Options pit
Investment ideas
Research reports
Fantasy football
Pro Pick 'Em
College Pick 'Em
Fantasy baseball
Fantasy hockey
Fantasy basketball
Download the app
Daily fantasy
Scores and schedules
GameChannel
World Baseball Classic
Premier League
CONCACAF League
Champions League
Motorsports
Horse racing
Newsletters

New on Yahoo

Privacy Dashboard

Cruise ship passenger airlifted to hospital 800 miles from home ‘against his wishes’

A cruise ship passenger has claimed he was airlifted to a hospital 800 miles from home against his wishes when the ship doctor misdiagnosed his “pulled muscle”.

Stephen Cassidy, 60, says he was taken off a cruise via helicopter after the ship’s doctor suspected he had an infection in his hip.

However, he was later told by medics in the hospital there was “no sign” of an infection - and that he had most likely pulled a muscle.

Mr Cassidy says he was left in Shetland, 800 miles from home, and “felt like a prisoner” when he was not allowed to leave the ship’s medical centre before being airlifted.

“While we are unable to share the details of this particular situation to maintain and protect patient data privacy, we believe that these allegations are completely without merit, ” a spokesperson for Princess Cruises told The Independent.

“Our ships and our medical teams are well equipped and experienced to care for guests who need medical attention, and we have established and well-practiced medical care protocols on board.”

Robert Kraft reportedly warned Falcons owner Arthur Blank not to trust Bill Belichick during head coach interviews

Bill Belichick's former boss Robert Kraft reportedly tanked his chances of getting hired as the Falcons head coach.

Nike responds to backlash over Team USA track kits, notes athletes can wear shorts

The new female track uniform looked noticeably skimpy at the bottom in one picture, which social media seized upon.

Yankees pitcher Fritz Peterson, infamous for trading wives with a teammate, dies at 82

Former New York Yankees left-hander Fritz Peterson died at the age of 82. He is probably best known exchanging wives with teammate Mike Kekich in the 1970s.

Boban Marjanović hilariously misses free throws on purpose to give Clippers fans free chicken

Boban Marjanović is a man of the people.

2024 Masters payouts: How much did Scottie Scheffler earn for his win at Augusta National?

The Masters has a record $20 million purse this year.

UFC 300: 'We're probably gonna get sued' after Arman Tsarukyan appeared to punch fan during walkout

'We'll deal with that Monday,' Dana White said about Arman Tsarukyan appearing to punch a fan during his UFC 300 walkout.

Rob Gronkowski's first pitch before the Red Sox's Patriots' Day game was typical Gronk

Never change, Gronk.

76ers' statue for Allen Iverson draws jokes, outrage due to misunderstanding: 'That was disrespectful'

Iverson didn't get a life-size statue. Charles Barkley and Wilt Chamberlain didn't either.

'Sasquatch Sunset' is so relentlessly gross that people are walking out of screenings. Star Jesse Eisenberg says the film was a ‘labor of love.’

“There are so many movies made for people who like typical things. This is not that," the film's star told Yahoo Entertainment.

Tom Swarbrick 4pm - 6pm

Now Discussing

Tom Swarbrick is Leading Britain's Conversation.

Use the Global Player app to listen to live radio for LBC & LBC News

Cruise passenger's dream holiday ruined after being airlifted to hospital 800 miles from home following doctor's misdiagnosis

4 June 2023, 08:55

Stephen Cassidy's dream holiday was ruined

By Kit Heren

A cruise ship passenger's dream holiday with his wife was ruined after a doctor misdiagnosed him with a serious infection, meaning he was airlifted to a hospital 800 miles from their home.

Listen to this article

Stephen Cassidy, 60, felt some leg pain during his luxury cruise trip to Norway, and visited the ship's doctor thinking it was a sciatica flare-up.

The trip, which was a birthday celebration with his wife Carol, was cut short when the doctor diagnosed it as a dangerous hip replacement infection and ordered him to be flown to the nearest hospital in Shetland.

Doctors in Shetland confirmed Mr Cassidy's suspicions that the pain was not serious, diagnosing it as the symptom of a muscle strain.

Mr Cassidy was then left stranded and had to pay to fly back home the length of the country to Poole in Dorset from the northern Scottish island. He was also left with thousands of pounds in medical bills after being treated with antibiotics.

Listen and subscribe to Unprecedented: Inside Downing Street on Global Player

He also missed out on his wife's birthday cruise, for which they had paid £3,598 for a two-week cruise on the Sky Princess to Iceland and Norway.

It was their first trip away together since lockdown, and was a postponed double celebration for their 60th birthdays and 40th wedding anniversary.

Mr Cassidy, who previously had a hip replacement, went to the ship's doctor after a week onboard complaining of a sore leg.

He asked the doctor if it could be sciatica, which he had suffered from before, but the doctor said it could be an infection and had to treat him for that.

The coastguard was called and Mr Cassidy was soon being winched onto a helicopter to be flown to hospital. As well as the flight costs to get home to Poole, Mr Cassidy also faces a £2,400 bill for the intravenous antibiotics he was given.

Mr Cassidy, a music teacher, told The Mail on Sunday: "I didn't feel like I had an infection – I just had a sore leg. The doctor misdiagnosed me and caused so much devastation.

Read more: Boris Johnson could lose public funding for Covid inquiry legal advice if he 'undermines' probe, Government declares

Read more: 'Angel' girl, 12, who died after incident off Bournemouth beach named as hundreds pay respects at funeral

"It was rotten for my wife and myself to be wrenched apart under those circumstances. It ruined our holiday and cost me a fortune to get home again."

Mr Cassidy added: 'I was never in need of any surgery, I didn't need to see a surgeon and I didn't need scans which the on-board doctor said I did."

Princess Cruises said the allegations were :without merit".

A spokesman for HM Coastguard said: "HM Coastguard carried out a medical evacuation as part of our duty to respond to calls for help at sea."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Netanyahu brushes off calls for restraint in response to Iran’s attack

Ex-colleague of murdered pc yvonne fletcher to launch private prosecution of suspect 40 years after her death, milan’s la scala names new director of opera house after months of controversy, 17 killed as russian missiles slam into ukrainian city, 2024 latin grammys will return home to miami after controversial move to spain, now squatters take over london film hq after breaking into ramsay pub and marco pierre white's restaurant, paranoid schizophrenic who set fire to two elderly muslims outside mosques given secure hospital order, toddler in critical condition after being bitten by 'large breed' dog in cheltenham home, towie stars joey essex and james argent stranded in dubai flash floods as they try to hitchhike in ankle-deep water, protests and terror threat mean tight security at eurovision song contest, jk rowling's 'contempt for women' accusation over misogyny law is 'astonishing and illogical', humza yousaf tells lbc, bestselling shopaholic author sophie kinsella reveals she has been diagnosed with aggressive form of brain cancer, police apologise for failings in investigation into 1986 babes in the wood murders of karen hadaway and nicola fellows, unions in greece call widespread strikes, seeking return of bargaining rights, did controversial ‘cloud seeding’ flights cause torrential downpours and huge flooding in dubai, shannon matthews' kidnapper michael donovan 'dies of cancer' 16 years after hiding schoolgirl in his bed for 3 weeks, latest news.

See more Latest News

Israel is 'making decision to act', David Cameron says in Jerusalem as he urges Netanyahu not to escalate Iran conflict

Starmer accuses sunak of promising £46bn unfunded tax cut as he taunts pm about liz truss’ new book at pmqs, '50 and fit': david beckham shares never-before-seen photos of victoria as she celebrates her 50th birthday, french police evict hundreds from abandoned paris warehouse ahead of olympics, urgent warning to parents over doctor 'arriving from bangladesh' with 'miracle autism cure' as cops launch fraud probe, death toll from four days of rain in pakistan rises to 63, 12th marquess of queensberry, 94, uses judo throw to fend off 6ft mugger who attacked him outside london home, post office boss cleared of misconduct after investigation into sexism and bullying claims, solomon islanders vote in election that will shape relations with china, killer dubbed 'womb raider' jailed for 50 years after murdering pregnant teenager and cutting out her baby, the news explained.

See more The News Explained

Rishi Sunak facts: Height, wife, children and policies revealed

Arctic blast sets off government's cold weather payment - but are you eligible for the £25 off energy bills, armistice day: what is it about and when will the two-minute silence be held.

See more Royals

Prince William announces return to public duties after Kate's cancer diagnosis

Meghan markle unveils first product from new lifestyle brand as dozens of influencers receive gift of strawberry jam, prince harry suffers major blow as he loses high court appeal amid police protection row, highlights & opinion.

See more Highlights & Opinion

Princess Kate: Now close the door, draw the curtains and focus on you!

Generation sicknote: if gen z are struggling to work then that’s a reflection of the lack of support available to them, sunak is blaming the fallout of his political losses on protests - and cutting off the lifeblood of our democracy, be careful what you wish for is a phrase coined for humza yousaf, small businesses shouldn't have to bear the brunt if royal mail axes saturday post, rishi sunak's rwanda woes are far from over as he faces lords challenge and tory critics circle, lbc caller tells shelagh fogarty that the channel islands are the answer to 'illegal immigration', 'rishi sunak chooses to do the self-interested party politics': shelagh fogarty reflects on tories' migration policies, met police chief is right to put the boot into the premier league, writes henry riley, red sea clashes with the houthis must not be just a fight for freedom of navigation - but for freedom from iran’s hostile actions too, more topics.

See more More Topics

War in Ukraine

Cost of living crisis, immigration, crime & police.