A second man has been arrested in connection with the death of a 60-year-old grandad on a luxury cruise.
James Messham, 60, died on the MSC Virtuosa at around 8.30pm on Saturday after an ‘altercation’.
It is thought the grandad was on a stag do when violence allegedly broke out.
He was travelling with relatives and is understood to have run the motorbike show The Wall of Death.
The ship was in British waters after leaving Southampton bound for Bruges, Belgium at the time of the incident.
A 57-year-old man from Exeter was arrested on suspicion of murder, before being released pending further inquiries.
Hampshire Constabulary have now confirmed that a second man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
A spokesman said: ‘A second man has been arrested as part of an investigation into the death of a 60-year-old man on board the MSC Virtuosa, which happened at around 8.30pm on Saturday 3 May.
‘A 56-year-old man from Richmond, London, has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and remains in custody at this time.
‘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.’
Tributes have poured in for the sixty-year-old who died on board.
James, who used to work in haulage and on the fairground circuit, was described as ‘salt of the earth’ and a ‘legend’.
In one tribute posted online, it said: ‘My deepest sympathy on your loss, he was a proper old school showman, condolences to the rest of the family. Rip.’
And another said: ‘He will be missed by everyone. When he travelled with us with the wall some years ago in Ireland, your dad and all your family were very helpful and great people to be around.
‘He was a great showman and friend to all.’
While the majority of the 1,700 passengers were unaware of James’ death, some witnessed the ‘carnage’ that had broken out and attempts by an army medic to save him.
Passengers told Metro James had been on the dance floor moments before the incident.
Lynda Hardiman-Pearce, who was a passenger on the cruise, told Metro: ‘The ship was packed. There were hen and stag dos everywhere. I thought I was a party animal but this was off the scale – it was carnage.
‘I was queuing for a drink when a guy pushed in. He said he was an army medic who was trying to save the life of a man who hadn’t made it. That was the first I knew of the death.
‘I just assumed it was natural causes as everyone continued the trip as if nothing had happened.’
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