A passenger aboard Holland America Line cruise ship ms Westerdam was medically evacuated for emergency treatment on December 11 after suffering a serious fall.

The ship was sailing off the coast of Vietnam when a 68-year-old German passenger fell down a stairway, local media reports. The ship’s doctor provided immediate first aid, but the passenger was found to be in critical condition, with suspected internal bleeding and possible spleen injury.

With rough seas and strong northeast winds in the area, the captain requested urgent medical assistance. Vietnam’s Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center quickly assessed the situation and instructed the Westerdam to proceed at maximum speed toward Da Nang.

A pilot boat met the ship shortly after 3:30 a.m., and by 4:30 a.m. the Westerdam safely docked at Tien Sa Port. Local authorities and medical teams were already standing by, allowing the passenger to be transferred ashore for emergency hospital care without delay.

Thanks to the fast coordination between the ship, rescue officials, and port authorities, the passenger was rescued just in time.