An Evesham councillor is suing a cruise ship company after allegedly suffering injuries whilst on holiday.

Emma Nishigaki, has launched a High Court damages claim against P & O Cruises after a holiday with her husband to celebrate his 50th birthday ended in apparent disaster.

According to court documents, Mrs Nishigaki suffered injuries when staff lifted her wheelchair to go up a ramp to board the ship.

Mrs Nishigaki is now suing Carnival plc which operates as P & O Cruises for up to £25,000 following the incident which happened over two years ago on September 15 2022.

The councillor said in court documents she suffered searing back pain after being carried onboard and the move exacerbated her existing back problems leading to sciatic pain and her back and one leg.

There were two gangways to access the ship, but one had two steps at the bottom, making it unsuitable for wheelchair users, according to the claim.

The second gangway was a very steep ramp, and as her husband pushed her wheelchair up the ramp, three or four members of staff came along and pushed her husband out of the way, she says.

They picked up her wheelchair and continued to carry her up the steep slope, although she asked to be put down, it is alleged.

As they carried her, the wheelchair tilted backwards and she started falling out, but as the staff adjusted it she landed back in the wheelchair, jolting her back and causing a searing spinal pain, she says.

The councillor claims that P & O Cruises failed to take reasonable care to ensure she was safe, and failed to use reasonable care and skill to ensure her safety getting back onboard.

Mrs Nishigaki says a medical expert believes that some pain from the accident will resolve within two years, and some is probably due to pre-existing degenerative changes in her back, she has also suffered from low mood, and her pre-existing symptoms have been exacerbated.

The incident happened during a four-day trip on Ventura whilst docked at Le Harve in France.

The cruise ship, Ventura, can hold over 3,000 guests, has 14 decks and is 291 metres long.