Passenger Killed When Rogue Wave Hits Cruise Ship

Feb. 14, 2014 — -- An elderly passenger was killed today when a rogue wave hit Cruise and Maritime Voyages' M.S. Marco Polo as it returned to port in England.

The ship was returning to its home port of Tilbury from the Azores when it was hit by "a freak wave during adverse sea conditions in the southwestern approaches of the English Channel," the Essex-based cruise line said in a statement.

The passenger wasn't immediately identified. A second passenger was airlifted. That person's condition wasn't immediately released.

"Our thoughts are very much with these passengers and their families during this difficult time," Cruise and Maritime Voyages said in its statement.