ML Cruise: Ship retracing Titanic route turns back for ill BBC passenger...

A SHIP retracing the voyage of the Titanic suffered its own streak of troubles when it was forced to temporarily turn back so a man could be airlifted to the Irish mainland.

The passenger, 56-year-old Tim Rex, was taken off the ship by helicopter after falling seriously ill while covering the MS Balmoral's cruise for the British broadcaster, The (London) Daily Telegraph reported.

It is believed Mr Rex, a BBC cameraman, suffered a suspected heart attack, 100 years to the day since the original ship set sail.

"Following advice from the ship's doctors he has been taken ashore to receive urgent medical treatment," a BBC spokesman said.