A woman has survived falling from the DFDS Princess Seaways on route from Newcastle to Ijmuiden at around 8.30pm on Monday.

The ferry’s own crew executed a text-book rescue and the 23 year old woman from Welwyn Garden City, Herts, was plucked from the water after 30 minutes. A Sea King rescue helicopter from RAF Leconfield was scrambled, as well as lifeboat crews from Filey and Scarborough. After being brought back onboard, the woman was airlifted by helicopter to Scarborough hospital where she was checked for hypothermia and kept in for observation overnight.

The RAF Sea King crew captured remarkable footage of the lucky lady’s rescue. Flight Sergeant Rick Jones from RAF Search and Rescue explained how lucky the woman was to be alive.

“To survive the fall, the time in the water and for the ferry to find her and all the assets to be in one place to get one person out such a vast area of the North Sea, she was incredibly lucky,” he said.

It is thought the woman was lighting a cigarette one one of the rails when she fell overboard. Princess Seaways continued its journey to Ijmuiden after the drama.

Thanks to the professionalism of the crew and rescue services a disaster was averted.

More information at The Daily Telegraph.