Heartbreaking final text cruise ship passenger, 23, sent to wife before falling overboard

A British tourist tragically fell overboard from a cruise ship bound for Amsterdam earlier this month (16 March).

Liam Jones, who hails from Dundee, was travelling onboard the MSC Euribia for a seven-day holiday around Europe for his mum's birthday, first boarding the cruise ship in Southampton.

The 23-year-old has since seemingly vanished as the ship sailed to Germany and his heartbreaking final text sent to his wife has now been revealed after falling overboard.

Family collect

Liam's wife, Sophia Mcphee, 20, has been left in total shock at the situation after trying to come to terms with what had happened to the social work student.

"I feel so lost," she told the Daily Record. "He’s just … gone.

"I’m never going to see him again. I’m devastated. I have so many questions, and I’m not getting any answers to what’s happened."

The Euribia was heading to to Hamburg, France, Belgium and Amsterdam before heading back to Southampton on 22 March, according to the ship's itinerary.

According to the Daily Record, Liam's final text message to Sophia was that he was feeling seasick.

Sophia last saw Liam two days before he fell overboard (14 March) when he travelled from their home in Dundee to Glasgow to meet his family.

She also added that there was footage of Liam going overboard, telling the outlet: "I was first contacted by his sister on Sunday. She said there had been an accident and Liam 'wasn’t coming back'.

Family collect

"She then said she had seen CCTV and he’d gone overboard. I’ve not had any contact from anyone since."

A spokesperson from MSC Cruises told Tyla: "A passenger on board MSC Euribia went overboard on 16 March as the ship was sailing to Hamburg.

"This was reported to the authorities. The police in Southampton boarded the vessel on 22 March and investigated on behalf of the coroner.

"We are deeply saddened by this news and our thoughts are with the family at this very difficult time."

They added: "Out of respect for the family’s privacy, we will refrain from disclosing any additional information."

Hampshire Constabulary has also launched an investigation on the return of the vessel to the UK with a spokesperson, telling the Telegraph: "Officers boarded the vessel today following a report that a man had gone overboard."

The spokesperson continued: "The man’s family are aware and police are investigating this on behalf of the coroner."

Topics: News, Travel, UK News, Cruise Ship

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from the University of Manchester in 2021 in English Literature. Alongside her studies, she was the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the largest student newspaper in the United Kingdom. Her favourite topics to write about include sex and relationships, bizarre lifestyle trends and all things travel.