James Messham, 60, died after an altercation is said to have broken out on board the MSC Virtuosa shortly after departure, forcing the vessel turn back and dock in Southampton
A cruise ship passenger who died after a fight broke out just hours after the vessel left port was a “lovely” grandfather who ran a motorcycle stunt show.
James Messham, 60, was reportedly on a stag do when he was killed in an “altercation” on the MSC Virtuosa, which set sail from Southampton on Saturday evening for a two-night mini cruise. The ship was still in British waters when the man died, so the Virtuosa turned back and docked in Southampton, where Hampshire Police boarded and arrested a 57-year-old man on suspicion of murder. He was released on bail on Tuesday.
Police enquiries are ongoing, and passengers who may have witnessed the incident are being urged to come forward with any information.
Mr Messham was with family members who helped him run the Wall of Death, a popular motorcycle stunt show, when he died, the Sun reports.
Friends and family have paid tribute to the “lovely gentleman” online, saying Mr Messham was a “great racer” and “one of the best”.
Passenger Lynda Hardiman-Pearce, who was on board the ship for the trip to Zebrugge said there were several hen and stag do parties onboard “causing havoc”. She told the Southern Daily Echo: “The cruise was full of hen and stag parties causing chaos.”
She added that a man on board “told me his son was an army medic and had tried to help by doing CPR on a guy that had collapsed but unfortunately couldn’t revive him. Apparently, the man was on a stag do.”
Reports suggested the men involved in the incident were part of a party of 20. Staff on board the MSC Virtuosa are continuing to “cooperate fully” with authorities as the investigation continues.
The MSC Virtuosa returned from Belgium to Southampton on Monday. The vessel is operated by MSC Cruises and has a capacity of 6,334 guests.
A spokesperson for MSC Cruises said: “Following an incident on board our ship, the relevant authorities were contacted, and we are cooperating fully with their investigations. We are providing full support to those impacted.”
A Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson said: “Officers are continuing their inquiries into the death of a 60-year-old man from West Sussex on board the MSC Virtuosa, which happened around 8.30pm on Saturday (May 3). A 57-year-old man arrested as part of our inquiries has been released on bail.
“We remain keen to hear from anyone who was aboard the ship, which had departed Southampton around 6pm on Saturday and was still in British waters at the time.”
The Maltese-flagged vessel, built in France in 2020, measures 332m (1,089ft) long and boasts 18 decks, accommodation for up to 6,334 passengers and 1,704 crew. Virtuosa was due to arrive in Southampton at 6:15am and depart at 8pm.
The ship also boasts a 4D cinema, bowling lanes, a casino, a game arcade, and a Formula 1 simulator. Passengers can also visit a theatre hosting Broadway-style productions, as well as a lounge featuring Carousel Productions at Sea shows.