Ferry runs aground off Blackpool

A ferry struck by a freak wave in the Irish Sea has run aground off Blackpool. The Riverdance, a roll-on roll-off freight ferry operated by Seatruck Ferries, was sailing from Northern Ireland to Heysham, near Morecambe. Four passengers and nine crew members were rescued at 7.30 pm last night. The remaining nine crew members, who stayed with the ship to try and refloat her, were later airlifted to safety.